A Look at Avs-Stars Postseason History

Teams meet in playoffs for 7th time since 1999.

I thought about using the picture of Duchene scoring instead of MacKinnon’s reaction, but even looking at it makes me sick.

A decent chunk of what you’re about to read is lifted straight from last year’s preview (hey, I wrote it and nothing changed about the previous five series. I think it’s okay to copy and paste). Last year, I put together a full breakdown of the Avs-Stars playoff history. And, well, here we are again. Same matchup, just a round earlier this time. I’ve updated the all-time numbers and added a recap of last year’s… well, let’s call it what it was: a real kick in the… pants (the front part).

One more sleep until puck drop. I’m nervous. I’m anxious. I want it to start. And also be over already. But I also want to enjoy the ride… if we win. If we lose? I want to forget it ever happened. 

At least until we have to go through this all over again next season.

All-Time Postseason vs. Dallas: Stars lead, 4-2
1999 - WCF - Dallas won series 4-3, outscoring Colorado 23-16
2000 - WCF - Dallas won series 4-3, outscoring Colorado 14-13
2004 - CQF - Colorado won series 4-1, outscoring Dallas 19-10
2006 - CQF - Colorado won series 4-1, outscoring Dallas 18-15
2020 - QF - Colorado won round-robin game 4-0
2020 - R2 - Dallas won series 4-3, outscoring Dallas 29-28
2024 - R2 - Dallas won series 4-2, outscoring Colorado 22-15

Synopsis: For the seventh time since relocating to Denver, the Avalanche and Stars will face off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That makes Dallas Colorado’s most frequent postseason opponent, surpassing the Red Wings… long the standard-bearer for heatedAvalanche playoff rivalries. The six epic showdowns with Detroit (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2008) now take a back seat to the Stars, who will meet the Avs in the playoffs for a seventh time and in back-to-back years for the third time (1999 & 2000, 2004 & 2006, and now 2024 & 2025).

Last year marked the first time Dallas didn’t need seven games to eliminate Colorado, closing it out in double-overtime of Game 6 in Denver (yeah... more on that later). Their previous three series wins over the Avs all went the distance, while Colorado’s two victories against Dallas were both wrapped up in just five games.