Seguin steals Game 3 for Stars, overshadowing Landeskog's emotional return

In a tense, tightly contested affair at Ball Arena, Tyler Seguin played the overtime hero, delivering a dagger at 5:31 of the extra frame to lift the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of their Western Conference First Round series.

While Seguin's game-winner will dominate the highlight reels, the night was also charged with the emotional return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who played his first NHL game in nearly three years.

Seguin's decisive moment saw him deftly control a pass from Mason Marchment with his skate, quickly elevate the puck to his stick, and fire a precise wrist shot past Mackenzie Blackwood's glove.

The goal capped off a resilient performance by the Stars, who successfully navigated a crucial four-minute penalty kill late in the third period after Marchment received a double minor for high-sticking.

"I think you think about OT winners and you feel how important they are, but [there's] just so much more tonight than that goal," Seguin acknowledged, highlighting the team's collective effort, particularly the penalty kill and Mikko Rantanen's crucial shift prior to his goal. "I was just the beneficiary of it, and collectively, just a great road win by the guys."

However, the atmosphere in Denver was undeniably thick with anticipation for Landeskog's comeback.

The Avalanche captain, sidelined since June 2022, skated with noticeable energy in his 13:16 of ice time, leading the team with 6 hits and winning a face-off. His presence alone provided a significant emotional lift for the Avalanche faithful.

"I felt pretty good; speed-wise, legs, physically, I felt good," Landeskog said, his words carrying the weight of his long absence.

"It felt great in all areas tonight, in terms of just being back, and then on the ice, play-wise, there's areas to improve. But very special night, regardless of the outcome, and looking forward to Saturday already."

On the ice, Valeri Nichushkin opened the scoring for Colorado in the first period with a well-executed individual effort, while Sam Malinski made his NHL playoff debut, contributing an assist. Blackwood stood tall in net for the Avalanche, making 26 saves.

Jamie Benn provided the equalizer for the Stars with a power-play goal early in the third period, redirecting a Thomas Harley shot.

Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was solid throughout, stopping 27 shots and earning praise from coach Pete DeBoer for his steady performance, particularly as the game intensified.

Despite the emotional boost of Landeskog's return, the Avalanche ultimately fell short. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the tight nature of the contest against a top-tier opponent.

"Someone's got to make and have an exceptional effort, five guys all on the same page, everyone doing the right thing, and then you still got to be able to beat their coverage in order to create scoring chances," Bednar stated.

While Seguin's overtime heroics secured a crucial road victory and a 2-1 series lead for the Stars, the narrative in Denver was also deeply intertwined with the inspiring return of their captain.

As the series shifts back to Ball Arena for Game 4, the Avalanche will undoubtedly look to channel the energy surrounding Landeskog's comeback into a much-needed win to even the score. The Stars, however, will carry the momentum of Seguin's clutch goal, knowing they silenced a passionate crowd on a night filled with significant emotion.