10 Observations: Rantanen Puts Damper On a Promising Avalanche Performance (+)

Playing as well as the Avalanche did on Saturday, getting a first-career goal, an insane performance from the top line, and treating the home crowd to a spectacular game was all great.

But going from the excitement of overtime, to the anti-climactic nature of the shootout, and having Mikko Rantanen be the one to win it for Dallas is a big giant dud on an otherwise positive night.

The Avs secured a point, falling to 2-0-1 through the first three games, but still remain one of the better teams in the first week of the season despite falling 5-4 to the Dallas Stars in the shootout.

The two teams won’t meet again until March.

The game unfortunately ended the way it did, but I’d still say there were more positive things to take away from this one.

Let’s get into it.

10 Observations

1. The second period was jam-packed with big moments. But it all started with a fight between Ross Colton and Justin Hryckowian. Colton laid out Miro Heiskanen and had to answer the bell for it.

He held his own pretty well and landed some pretty solid haymakers. I’m a little curious as to why they didn’t give the Stars forward an extra two minutes for instigating. If the Colton hit was a clean, then Hryckowian definitely deserved an extra two.

2. In case you were wondering how badly Colton hated missing the playoff series, check out the way he challenged and mocked the opposing bench on his way to the penalty box. He was fired up.

3. Josh Manson had his eyes on the play the entire way in the second period, when he slid into the crease and helped his goalie with a rebound save. This season’s version of Manson has been wildly entertaining to watch. Hope he can stay healthy.

4. Victor Olofsson was brought in to be a goalscorer, but he’s done an excellent job creating plays that lead to goals. His saucer pass to Jack Drury on Thursday set up that beautiful third-line goal. And on Saturday, he found Gavin Brindley in the crease for his first career goal.

5. Speaking of Brindley, I can’t find any reason why he should be taken out of the lineup. He earned a taste of NHL action with his play in training camp and preseason. And before opening night, head coach Jared Bednar said Brindley will play “for now.”

But he’s doing everything asked of him. The “for now” should be stretched for as long as it needs to go until he gives you a reason to sit him.

6. Another rookie made his Avalanche debut tonight in defenseman Ilya Solovyov.

It wasn’t ideal for him to get one practice and suddenly have to play, but such is the case when you’re the No. 7 defenseman and an injury strikes your lineup. I thought he looked responsible and I don’t remember him making any glaring mistakes.

He did well in his limited minutes.

7. Sam Malinski shifted back to the right and it was Josh Manson who was on the left with Brent Burns. I thought Manson looked better than Malinski did in previous games on his off-side. I also loved that it gave Bednar a chance to mix up the D pairings more.

There were quite a few Malinski shifts with Devon Toews. Even Burns got a look with Toews.

8. In his 1,500th game, Burns recorded an assist and played, again, the third most minutes among defensemen. His 20:35 trailed only Cale Makar and Toews. The man just won’t let father time catch him.

9. Kudos to the schedule makers for putting three games between Colorado and Dallas, all in the later stages of the regular season. Post-trade deadline is usually somewhat of a slog before the playoffs begin.

If this game was a preview, we’re going to be treated to three great rivalry games between both clubs before the playoffs. And it’ll be nice to see them ramp up the intensity ahead of another potential playoff matchup.

10. If you missed it, Bednar’s response to a question about this scheduling was funny.

"I'd love to never see [the Dallas Stars] again."

😂 pic.twitter.com/j1LnE0g5Ja

— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) October 12, 2025