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Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche Disappoint NHL Fans with Game 3 Loss vs. Seguin, Stars

Julia StumbaughMay 12, 2024

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 11: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck against Thomas Harley #55 of the Dallas Stars during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 11, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.  (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche outshot, but couldn't outscore, the Dallas Stars in a 4-1 Game 3 loss Sunday night at Ball Arena.

Stars center Tyler Seguin's second-period goal made the difference as the Avalanche fell into a 2-1 Eastern Conference semifinals series deficit.

Fans were disappointed by the Avalanche's effort, especially in the third period. The 2022 Stanley Cup champions were outshot 10-7 while trailing in the final frame.

playoff avalanche warning 🚨 @morgannaanna

If the Avs want to win this series, they're going to have to play with some urgency and dynamics in the future.

Strez @Its_Strez

The Colorado Avalanche have led for 00:00 in this series against the stars.<br><br>That's not ideal if you're hoping to win a best of 7 series.

Bruce LeVine @BruceLeVinePuck

You don't beat the Avs by sitting back with a lead.<br>In the third period, Stars outshot Colorado 10-7, won the offensive zone possession battle and kept MacKinnon, Makar and Rantenen in check.<br><br>That is the type of performance that wins this time of the year.

Luca Celebre @LucaCelebre21

Game set and match. Sucks to lose games where your opponent basically creates nothing but the way it goes sometimes. Can't really knock the Avs, couple turnovers turned into goals. The power play has been a disaster the last 2 outings though

Mat Smith @RealMatSmith

If not for Georgiev's outstanding OT, the Avs would be on the verge of getting swept. The team that showed up to play WPG disappeared. Dallas owns the mental edge in this series. Avs are on the ropes in a real way.

Dario in Denver @DarioinDenver

Deboer is like Bednar Kryptonite. Time for the Avs to adjust and anticipate how Dallas is going to change their play style based on the score.

MacKinnon was held to one assist after failing to record a point for the first time this postseason during the Avalanche's Game 2 loss.

x - DeathAndTaxes @DeathAndTaxes89

If the Avs want to win this series, they need to find another gear. MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar especially.

Colorado netminder Alexandar Georgiev finished the loss having turned aside 19 of 21 shots.

Mr. Steal Your Doughnuts @BEARDO

Georgiev is single handedly keeping this from being a blowout. It would be nice if the offense would reward him for his efforts. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoAvsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoAvsGo</a>

x- John Starcevich III @johnstar3

Nobody showed up tonight besides Georgiev. It's a shame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a>

The Avalanche earned a trio of power-play opportunities in the first period, but were unable to convert on any.

It was the Stars that were first on the board as Logan Stankoven scored his first career playoff goal in the final minutes of the first period.

Bruce LeVine @BruceLeVinePuck

Technically Special Teams ended 0-0.<br>But when the Avs had momentum and did not score on three power plays in the first 21 minutes of the game, an argument can be made that Dallas won the Special Teams battle tonight.

MacKinnon assisted on a Mikko Rantanen goal to even the score midway through the second period:

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce

NATE DOGG WITH THE DANGLES, RANTANEN WITH THE FINISH 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/Ry6KK65IYo">pic.twitter.com/Ry6KK65IYo</a>

James Espinosa 🎙️ @SirEdwardJames

Nathan MacKinnon- that attack and the handles with the stick. Just absurd. <br><br>He's the best in the NHL for a reason. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TexasHockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TexasHockey</a>

But the tie lasted just five minutes before Evgenii Dadonov fed Tyler Seguin to put the Stars back ahead.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce

SEGUIN GIVES DALLAS THE LEAD 👀 <a href="https://t.co/o2UgWVSdKd">pic.twitter.com/o2UgWVSdKd</a>

Seguin and Stankoven each scored their second goals of the night with empty netters that sealed the victory for Dallas.

The Stars were able to hold on to their lead in large part thanks to goaltender Jake Oettinger.

Oettinger made 28 saves to hold the Avs, a team that averaged an NHL-best 3.68 goals per game during the regular season, to just one strike.

Passing Drill @PassingDrill

Oettinger just stole one.

x-Taylor Rae @Taylor_Rae_33

Avs may never score on Oettinger ever again

MacKinnon and the Avalanche will look to even the series in Game 4. The puck drops Monday in Denver at 10:30 p.m. ET.