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Nathan MacKinnon's 'Shocking' Message After Stars Eliminate Avalanche

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 4, 2025 4:28 AM ET

The Colorado Avalanche saw their season end dramatically Saturday night, blowing a 2-0 third-period lead in Game 7 against the Dallas Stars.

Despite goals from Josh Manson in the second period and Nathan MacKinnon to open the third, the Avs conceded four unanswered goals in the final frame, falling 4-2 at American Airlines Center.

MacKinnon, who scored just 31 seconds into the final period to double Colorado’s lead, was still in shock about the defeat when addressing the media after the game.

“It’s pretty shocking,” MacKinnon said. “Felt like we were in total control, then Mikko (Rantanen)... credit to him, he made some amazing plays. He was the difference maker, took over.

”Yeah, I don't know. I'm in shock, to be honest.”

Nathan MacKinnon: "It's pretty shocking. Felt like we were in total control, then Mikko...credit to him, he made some amazing plays. He was the difference maker, took over. Yeah, I don't know. I'm in shock, to be honest."
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) May 4, 2025

Mikko Rantanen, traded by Colorado in January and then again from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stars at the deadline, delivered a hat trick and an assist for Dallas in the third period.

Rantanen's performance marked the first time in NHL history that a player scored a hat-trick in a Game 7 third period.

Meanwhile, Wyatt Johnston added the game-winner on the power play with under four minutes left, with Rantanen sealing the game with an empty-net goal.

“They were missing their best D-man and maybe their best forward, (and) we still couldn't beat them,” MacKinnon said. “So, yeah, I don't know what we're gonna do.”

The Avalanche forced Game 7 with a win in Game 6, but have now lost seven straight Game 7s.

Colorado head coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the sting of the collapse with his team surrendering a two-goal lead with under 20 minutes left in regulation.

“You’re in a good position, and then it slips away on you,” Bednar said. “It’s tough because I know how hard these guys worked, and how bad they wanted it.”

Dallas will face either the Winnipeg Jets or the St. Louis Blues in Round 2, depending on their Game 7 outcome on Sunday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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