DALLAS — It would be hard not to compare and contrast the current state of the Colorado Avalanche to what the organization faced after Game 4 against the Dallas Stars a season ago.
For all intents and purposes, the 2023-24 season, or at the very least Colorado’s championship aspirations, ended the day of Game 4 against the Stars.
Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months just hours before puck drop. Devon Toews was sick and a late scratch. The Stars easily handled a shook Avs team to take a commanding 3-1 series lead before winning in six games.