The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche have one of the most storied rivalries in NHL history. Here is why it endures.
The origin (1997-2003): The rivalry ignited in the late 1990s when both teams were legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Dallas (Modano, Belfour, Hull, Zubov) vs. Colorado (Sakic, Forsberg, Roy, Blake). They met in the playoffs 4 times in 6 years.
Key series:
- 1999 WCF (Stars win 4-3): The series that launched the rivalry into the elite tier. Seven games, physical play, multiple fights. Joe Nieuwendyk's OT winner in Game 7 at Reunion Arena is one of the greatest moments in Stars history.
- 2000 WCF (Colorado wins 4-1): The Avalanche got their revenge. Patrick Roy was unbeatable.
- 2006 First Round (Colorado wins 4-1): The last playoff meeting between the classic rivalry rosters.
The physical element: This rivalry featured genuine hatred. The games between 1998-2003 averaged over 30 penalty minutes per game. There were line brawls, goalie fights, and hits that would make modern NHL fans cringe. Source: Hockey Reference game logs.
The modern era: Both teams are competitive again in the 2020s. The rivalry has been revived with new players but the same intensity. Regular season games between Dallas and Colorado draw sell-out crowds and the energy in the building is noticeably different from other opponents.
Head-to-head all-time (source: Hockey Reference):
- Regular season: Colorado leads 65-54-10
- Playoffs: Dallas leads 16-14 in games won
Why it matters to DFW: Colorado games at AAC sell out or near-sell out every time. The Stars-Avalanche matchup draws the best atmosphere of any regular season opponent. For fans who remember the late 1990s, these games are personal.
Sources:
- Hockey Reference — head-to-head records
- NHL.com — rivalry history
- The Athletic — modern rivalry analysis
Patrick Roy vs. Ed Belfour was the goaltending rivalry within the rivalry. Two of the best goalies in history going head-to-head in playoff series. We may never see anything like that again.