2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

Complaining about the NHL's divisional playoff format has become just as rich an annual tradition as hearing Gary Bettman say that everyone loves the divisional playoff format. While it does ensure that round one is filled with rivalry matchups, oftentimes it dooms legitimate Stanley Cup contenders to an early exit by matching them up against equally strong teams; meanwhile, they get to watch lower-seeded teams crush softer opponents. 

This Dallas Stars versus Colorado Avalanche series, practically inevitable for months, is a perfect example. Both of these teams rank in the upper echelon of the league, but one of them will spend the summer bitterly remembering a first round exit.

The Stars need to take another step this year after two consecutive losses in the Conference Finals, and they hav