DENVER — In a thrilling overtime finish, Tyler Seguin found the net at 5:31 to lead the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3. This win on Wednesday night in Denver featured the much-anticipated return of Gabriel Landeskog, who skated for Colorado for the first time since June 2022. The victory gives Dallas a 2-1 lead in the first-round series, with Game 4 set for Saturday night, again in Denver.
The Stars, who have so far found themselves with the lead for only 1:02 of regulation play, secured their second consecutive win in overtime. The game-ending goal was orchestrated with a skillful pass by Mason Marchment, which Seguin capitalized on, sliding the puck past Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Marchment was previously in the penalty box, serving a double-minor for a high-stick on Brock Nelson near the end of regulation.
“We did a lot of really good things,” commented Stars head coach Pete DeBoer. “Our penalty killing has been one of the best in the league the last three years. We felt confident into the overtime that we could get the job done. And if we did, I think there was a good feeling that we were going to win the game.”
Seguin’s playoff heroics marked his second career overtime goal, his first being with Boston in 2012. “Good feeling,” Seguin stated, reflecting on the victory. “There’s so much more tonight than that goal. It’s the penalty kill, it’s the details of the game of what the guys did. … I was just the beneficiary of it. Collectively, just a great road win by the guys.”
During the tense overtime period, Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell made a critical defensive play by deflecting a close-range shot from Artturi Lehkonen. Jamie Benn earlier brought Dallas level with a crucial goal midway through the third period, while Stars goalie Jake Oettinger managed 27 saves for the game.
For Colorado, Valeri Nichushkin opened the scoring in the first frame, and Blackwood contributed with 26 saves. The night was particularly symbolic for Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog, who returned from a lengthy absence due to a chronic knee injury. His appearance was met with enthusiasm from the fans; this was his first NHL appearance in 1,032 days. Landeskog, who clocked over 13 minutes on the ice and led his team with six hits, remarked, “Felt great in all areas tonight in terms of being back. Very special night regardless of the outcome.”
Despite their skilled players, Colorado struggled on the power play, going 0 for 6. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar succinctly described the power play woes as needing improvement across the board.