My Three Thoughts - Avalanche Take Gm 1

Stars may well rue the day that they allowed a 3-0 lead to slip away to open series.

And off we go.

Just before midnight the Stars skated with their heads down back to their room, knowing that they will have to win another series without winning a Game 1.

It is becoming a bit of a bad habit that surely cannot assist in success. But, alas, the tired legs and minds betrayed them and here we are.

The Colorado Avalanche, themselves Stanley Cup Champions 23 months back, came all the way back from a three-goal deficit to claim the home-ice advantage and Game 1, 4-3 in Overtime, on a speedy transition goal by Miles Wood.

Game 2 will be back in Dallas on Thursday.

These are My Three Thoughts:

– The Stars will have every opportunity to convince themselves that this game will cost them dearly in this postseason.

The only objective on Tuesday was to get into a positive position early and build a bit of a cushion. Be ready to withstand what would surely be a late rally attempt by a well-rested Avalanche team, who themselves saw a huge opportunity to fly in and take advantage of a weary home side.

The game followed the script almost too perfectly. Dallas had jump and life early, was able to get three first-period goals – and nearly a 4th as Jamie Benn seemed ever so close as the period expired – but slowly lost their jump as the evening went along. It was a predictable fade as the last two weeks with Vegas leaning on them comes with quite a price.

You hoped 3-0 would be enough to withstand the fade.

Alas, it was not.