“We’ve got to get to Oettinger more. I feel like all three games we’ve outshot and outplayed them heavily, we’ve just got to find a way to beat that guy,” MacKinnon said after the 2-1 loss on home ice, via Will Petersen of Denver Sports 104.3.

Colorado almost doubled Dallas in shots on goal, as the Avs fired 34 pucks on Oettinger’s net to the Stars‘ 18 on Scott Wedgewood. The Avalanche also dominated at the dot, winning 57.6% of the faceoffs. However, they couldn’t figure out Oettinger—once more.

Not even the fact the Avalanche reacted to MacKinnon’s criticism with a roster move before the game against Dallas changed the tune. The Stars have defeated the Avs once again.

Dallas is proving to be Colorado’s kryptonite

Not only in the Stanley Cup Playoffs—where the Avs are 2-5 in series against the Stars (including two straight eliminations in 2024 and 2025)—but in the regular season, as well. Dallas simply has Colorado’s number. That is a scary thought for the Avalanche, as there is a very real scenario in which they meet the Stars once again in the second round of the postseason.

Whether the Stars play better than the Avs or not seems to be irrelevant. So far in the 2025–26 NHL season, Colorado has outshot Dallas in all three of their meetings. Still, MacKinnon and the Avalanche have a 1-0-2 record to show for it.

Recent playoff history between Stars and Avalanche

On the bright side, Colorado can hang on to the fact that all three games have been decided in a shootout. In the playoffs, shootouts no longer exist. However, sudden-death, 5-on-5 overtime hasn’t been much kinder to MacKinnon and company either.

Since the 2019–20 season, the Stars and Avs have faced each other in three playoff series. Dallas has moved on each time, and whenever a game has gone to overtime, Colorado is 1-4. It seems the Avalanche’s only chance to defeat the Stars is through a blowout, whereas the Texan club excels in tight, low-scoring duels.

Perhaps, the fact Jake Oettinger is in net for the Stars explains the logic behind that statistic. Regardless, MacKinnon has grown sick and tired of falling at the hands of Dallas. Maybe this year will be different. For Colorado, it has to be.

Among the dozens of outdoor NHL games, a handful have flirted with warmth rather than winter’s bite. In 2020, Dallas hosted a Winter Classic under surprisingly mild skies, but it wasn’t the warmest test the league ever faced.

Looking back in the NHL’s outdoor record books, a 2016 matchup stands out: temperatures well above freezing turned a classic winter tradition into a near-springtime scene on the ice, rewriting what “winter” could mean.

The warmest NHL Winter Classic on record

While snowy New Year’s Days often define the Winter Classic’s iconic imagery, one edition stood out for a very different reason. The 2020 Winter Classic in Dallas, Texas, saw game-time temperatures hover near 55°F (13°C), unusually warm for a contest that trades its roots in frigid outdoor hockey for a spectacle in sun-splashed stadiums.

That Cotton Bowl showdown between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators brought a summer-like feel to a winter event. The mild air may have softened the frost on fans’ cheeks, but it didn’t cool the competitive fire on the ice, as the Stars captured a 4–2 victory in front of tens of thousands, a crowd that made it the second-most attended Winter Classic in league history.

The Dallas game’s warmth hinted at the NHL’s evolving relationship with outdoor weather, a dynamic balance between nostalgia and the realities of climate, venue and scheduling. Outdoor contests now embrace a range of conditions, from bitter cold to spring-like warmth, each leaving its own mark on the lore of hockey’s annual outdoor showcase.

The warmest NHL outdoor game ever played

Though the Winter Classic name is most often tied to January outdoor games, the broader series of NHL outdoor contests includes some even warmer days. On Feb. 27, 2016, at Coors Field in Denver, the puck dropped under skies where the thermometer read 65°F (18°C) — still the highest ambient temperature documented for an NHL outdoor game.

That Stadium Series matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings turned tradition on its head, as attendees traded bulky winter coats for lighter layers under afternoon sunshine.

The Denver crowd, packed into the baseball park turned hockey venue, watched Detroit skate away with a 5–3 result amid conditions more reminiscent of spring training than a winter showcase.

While this wasn’t officially a Winter Classic under that specific name, its warmth still resonates when discussing the league’s experience with mild weather outdoor hockey, especially as the NHL looks ahead to even more southerly venues in future events.

In many ways, Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand’s style of play show much resemblance. Perhaps, it’s the fact both were drafted and molded early in their careers by the Boston Bruins. The two were a part of the Stanley Cup-winning roster in Beantown in the 2010-11 NHL season.

However, it looks like all love has now been lost between the two veterans. That was made clear after reports emerged of what Marchand said to Seguin during the game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

“Feels like yesterday when you came into the league a little baby boy. You still act like a baby boy,” Marchand told Seguin, as reported by The Dallas Morning News’ Lia Assimakopoulos on X.

Back on track

The Panthers desperately needed to turn the page after losing in embarrassing fashion to the Colorado Avalanche. Suffice to say, defeating Dallas 4-0 on the road provided just what Florida hoped—and more.

Though it’s been far from an ideal season, the Panthers have now won four of their last five outings. They will hope to ride the wave of momentum as the Cats return to the Sunshine State, but to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena in the Big Guava.

Florida must turn the tide, though. The Panthers have struggled against the Atlantic Division so far in the 2025-26 NHL campaign, recording a 2-4-0 mark against divisional foes. Moreover, the Bolts defeated the Cats 3-1 in the first ‘Battle of Florida’ of the season. In more ways than one, the reigning Stanley Cup champions have some ground to make up.

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Rangers found a way. Facing off against Dallas was never going to be easy, and New York knew it had to deliver its best effort. That it did, and the Blueshirts walked away with their third home win of the NHL season because of it.

After the game, Sullivan issued a sincere message for Miller and the rest of the locker room to hear. “I really liked the response after we got scored against,” Sullivan said, via NHL.com. “We didn’t sink.

“You get the feeling behind the bench. You can tell when those types of moments affect a team either in a negative way or the opposite. You can feel it on the bench and the feeling I got tonight was that the response was the right one, to answer, just drop the puck and play and let’s keep going at these guys, try to dig in here and find a way to get that tying goal. I give the players a lot of credit.”

Rangers have found a rhythym

With the win against the Stars, Sullivan’s Rangers confirmed what many around the NHL were starting to realize: New York is finding its footing. It took a while, but it seems the Blueshirts are now truly buying in.

The Rangers have won four of their last five games in the 2025-26 NHL season. Moreover, they took down some perennial contenders in the league, both on the road and at home during this stretch. Now, New York must keep it going as it gears up to face the Ottawa Senators in Canada’s capital.

Will Cuylle speaks on team’s resilience

The Rangers are only 28 games into the season, yet they have been put through the wringer already. Whether Sullivan and his staff expected this year to be as challenging as it’s been or not, they knew it wouldn’t be an easy ride. The team has gone through its growing pains, and is finally seeing some fruits grow out of it. On that note, forward Will Cuylle voiced an honest comment on the team effort required to beat the Stars.

“After a poor performance on Saturday [against the Lightning], I think it shows some resilience in here,” Cuylle stated after the game, via The New York Post’s Mollie Walker on X. “Just bouncing back and being able to reset. Being proud of the way we play in front of our fans is really important to all of us. I’m glad we could put out a good effort today and get the win.”

Though they have more games played under their belt, the Rangers are now one point behind the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. After last season’s disappointing results, making the Stanley Cup Playoffs is an absolute must for the Broadway Blueshirts.

The incident occurred with just 27.3 seconds left in regulation during the Islanders’ 3–2 win over the Dallas Stars. Rantanen delivered a forceful boarding hit from behind, sending Romanov violently into the end boards. The defenseman had to be helped off the ice and was later diagnosed with a shoulder injury requiring surgery.

Rantanen has officially been suspended one game by the NHL following two game misconducts in less than a week, including a controversial hit on Romanov, who had already missed games earlier this season due to injury, now faces a long recovery that could sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.

How will the NY Islanders adjust without Romanov?

This update is a major blow to the Islanders’ defensive core, as Romanov had recently signed an eight-year extension and was expected to be a key contributor. The team will need to adjust quickly, relying on depth players and defensive pairings to fill the gap left by one of their top blueliners. How head coach Patrick Roy reorganizes the lineup could determine whether the Islanders can maintain competitiveness in the coming months.

Controversy around Rantanen’s hit

The hit by Rantanen continues to generate debate across the league. While Romanov’s injury underscores its severity, the league’s decision to suspend Rantanen for one game after multiple recent misconducts highlights ongoing concerns about player safety and enforcement consistency in the NHL.

What’s next for Romanov and the Islanders?

With Romanov sidelined for 5–6 months, the Islanders face a challenging stretch as they navigate the remainder of the regular season. The NHL team will need contributions from younger defensemen and a reinforced focus on minimizing risky plays.

The Islanders’ next game is today, Sunday, at 6 p.m. ET against the Seattle Kraken, while Romanov begins rehabilitation with hopes of returning strong for the next season.

In less than a week, Rantanen delivered two vicious hits on defenseless opponents against the boards, earning himself game misconducts in both occasions. According to NHL rules, the Stars’ key player must be automatically suspended by the league.

“Rantanen will most likely be suspended at least one game for violating NHL rule 23.6, which states ‘any player who incurs a total of two game misconduct penalties in the Physical Infractions Category, before playing in 41 consecutive regular season league games without such penalty shall be suspended automatically for the next league game of his team,'” as reported on The Dallas Morning News.

Now, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety has announced Rantanen will be automatically suspended for one game, with no further discipline being assessed on the Finnish star for his recent actions.

Stars will miss Rantanen

Following the official suspension announcement from the NHL, Rantanen will miss just one game in the 2025-26 season for the Stars. For several fans around the league, it isn’t enough. However, for the fanbase in the Lone Star State it’s more than sufficient.

Up next, Dallas (13-5-4) will take on the 10-9-5 Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. As if Rantanen couldn’t miss a bigger game in the NHL campaign, he is set to be sidelined when the two sides collide in a heated rematch of last season’s Western Conference Final.

Outcry around the NHL

Though Rantanen will miss one game, many fans across the league are calling for a harsher punishment. The fact that he has been assessed two game misconducts in less than a week suggests the NHL may have had to step in and make a statement with its verdict. Instead, it seems Rantanen has gotten off with little more than a slap on the wrist.

The Canucks have now gone 1-3-2 in their last six outings and remain hampered by injuries, including All-Star goalie Thatcher Demko. Despite setbacks, the team showed defensive discipline, especially on the penalty kill, which is currently the worst in the league at 67.1 percent.

“It was probably our best game of the year. We frustrated them. The second period, we pretty much dominated that period. You could see it in their game. It was good,” Foote said, according to The Canadien Press, praising his team’s effort and execution despite the loss.

He added: “We’re going to show them what we asked them to do and they did it, they bought in and the success we had with that. They’re pros. They want to do this again. And it’s nice to see what they did. Because I really do believe Dallas was not comfortable in the game. And we’ll show them why they weren’t. We bring that game more than not, we’ll have good results.”

How can the Canucks turn lessons into consistency?

Centre Elias Pettersson highlighted improvements in Vancouver’s approach to special teams. “That was good. We talked about being more aggressive and not let them get too many, get too much time with the puck. That was definitely better today. And improvements there,” he said.

The condensed season and injuries have made practice time scarce, limiting opportunities to refine systems. Foote emphasized the value of the team’s recent practice sessions, combined with film review, as a key factor in translating lessons into on-ice results.

What’s next for the Canucks?

Vancouver will aim to leverage these lessons as they return to practice and prepare to host the Calgary Flames on Sunday, seeking to turn promising efforts into wins and climb in the standings.

His journey has been marked by resilience. From the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 to establishing himself as one of the top American-born goalies in the NHL, Oettinger has faced both triumphs and near misses. He completed the 2024–25 season with a 36-18-4 record, a 2.59 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage in 58 starts, including standout playoff performances against Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets.

“Life goes like that sometimes. I look at it like I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I had one thing not go my way, but I’ve had 1,000 other things go my way,” Oettinger said, according to NHL.com.

He added: “Every year is a blank slate. I thought I was the best goalie in the world for large parts of those playoffs. Now, it’s how do I do that all regular season and finally help us get over the hump.”

Can Oettinger overcome last year’s playoff heartbreak?

Strength and conditioning coach Ben Prentiss emphasized Oettinger’s mental fortitude: “He carries himself with quiet confidence and dignity. He understands success or failure isn’t just on him — hockey’s a team sport.” Backup Casey DeSmith will share goaltending duties, giving Oettinger the chance to perform at peak levels throughout the season.

Is Dallas ready to contend for the Stanley Cup?

Oettinger’s career has been a mix of defining moments and setbacks, from his 64-save Game 7 against the Calgary Flames in 2022 to back-to-back conference final appearances. Goaltending coach Jeff Reese noted, “He’s been through adversity. Jake handled it the right way and took the high road. What happened at the end of the season, we’ll use it to get better.”

The Stars open the 2025–26 season Thursday at the Winnipeg Jets, aiming to build on lessons from last season. Oettinger’s resilience could be the key to Dallas finally clearing the playoff hurdles that have eluded them.

For Miro Heiskanen, the sting is personal. Drafted third overall in 2017, the 26-year-old defenseman ranked fourth on the NHL’s 2025 list of top defensemen. An injury-shortened regular season kept him off the ice after January 28, though he returned in the second round of the playoffs. Heiskanen has been a key part of Dallas’ playoff runs over the past three seasons, and his perspective carries weight.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s really frustrating for sure,” Heiskanen said during the NHL European Player Media Tour. “We have been close, but just haven’t found a way to get to the finals and win it. So it’s frustrating.”

Learning from playoff disappointments

Heiskanen acknowledged the challenges that plagued Dallas’ postseason, including inconsistent goaltending, stalled scoring, and struggles on the road. Despite the setbacks, he emphasized a forward-looking mindset.

“But at the same time, you have to think about the positive way too … guys get more experience and know what it takes to get there,” he said. Heiskanen added that the team stays connected in the offseason, debriefing via text and sharing insights with coaches. “So it’s, you know, just have to get back stronger and, you know, hopefully can go all the way.”

A cornerstone for the future

Heiskanen remains a cornerstone of a talented Stars roster capable of contending for the Stanley Cup. With a new coach in place and lessons learned from past playoff runs, Dallas could be poised to finally break through in the seasons ahead.

One of the most emotional moments came with the departure of a close friend and teammate. Mason Marchment, who signed a four-year, $18 million contract prior to the 2022 season, was traded to Seattle Kraken on June 19. In return, the Stars received a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick, marking the end of Marchment’s tenure in Dallas.

For Oettinger, the move was more than a business transaction—it was personal. The Stars’ goaltender revealed the emotional impact of losing a teammate he considered a brother both on and off the ice.

How did Mason Marchment’s trade affect Oettinger?

“That was really tough,” Oettinger admitted, as reported by Sam Nestler of DLLS Stars. “It’s no secret how close he and I are. That’s one you never really get over. Just as good as it gets as a guy and a teammate. Someone that doesn’t wear a letter but the guys in the room look up to. Mush is one of my best friends, and that’s not going to change.”

Oettinger explained how the personal side of the trade made it even harder. “It’s a tough part of the job when you get really close with someone. I mean, my wife and his wife are like best friends, and they’re having a baby really close to when we are, too. That whole part of it just sucks. It feels like right when I start calling someone my best friend, they get traded.”

Organizational changes shape the Stars’ offseason

Marchment joins a Kraken team that made its own offseason adjustments, including the firing of coach Dan Bylsma after just one season. Meanwhile, the Stars made a coaching change, dismissing Pete DeBoer in the wake of their playoff loss to the Oilers—a decision believed to be influenced by his early pull of Oettinger in Game 5, which reportedly upset several players.

The Stars are now under the leadership of Glen Gulutzan, returning for his second stint as head coach. As the team looks ahead, the focus will be on rebuilding chemistry and adapting to the roster changes while keeping competitive in the Western Conference.

Of course, the title won’t be on the line until the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but regular-season meetings can paint a good picture of where each side stands. Rantanen’s Stars hope to be at their best when McDavid and the Oilers walk into American Airlines Center. Edmonton will visit Dallas twice next season, but on November 4, the Stars have already begun preparing a special theme night.

When the Oilers and Stars meet for the first time since the 2025 Western Conference Final, Dallas will greet fans with Rantanen memorabilia. “On Tuesday, November 4 early arriving fans have the opportunity to grab a one-of-a-kind Mikko Rantanen bobblehead,” the Stars announced, via NHL.com.

Bad blood

Though not particularly close in a map, the Stars and Oilers hold a grudge for one another. Obviously, the hatred is bigger in Dallas, as McDavid and Edmonton have had the best of them in consecutive NHL postseasons.

Not content with eliminating the Stars at the gates of the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, the Oilers did it all over again in 2025. Edmonton defeated Dallas in six games during the 2023-24 Playoffs, only to one-up themselves and knock the Stars out in five games during the 2024-25 postseason.

They say third time’s the charm, so Rantanen and company have one argument to hold onto if their paths cross with McDavid and the Oilers once again. Still, another rematch could only pave the way for an even bigger humiliation at the hands of Edmonton.

Something to prove

Edmonton may have the upper hand over Dallas, but it isn’t much better off either. While the Oilers are the Stars’ tormentors, they can’t say the same for the Florida Panthers, who have beaten them twice in a row in the Final.

If anything, the Oilers aren’t too eager to match up with the Stars either, because history shows that when they do, the Cats tend to be waiting in the final round—and that only spells bad news for Edmonton.