Avs' Adversity vs Stars Loss Holds Key Lessons

The Avalanche drop a gritty 2-1 shootout decision to the Stars, with both teams skating short-handed and channeling pure playoff fire in Denver. Wyatt Johnston snipes the winner while Jake Oettinger stones Nathan MacKinnon, pulling Dallas within two points of the Central lead for the first time since December. Colorado grabs a point but now sits 1-3-1 in five, and Jared Bednar knows these tight battles forge contenders as the postseason looms.