Avalanche Take Too Long To Get Going, Fall 5-3 To Stars

Colorado puts a scare into Dallas, but NHL playoff hopes dwindle

Avalanche now 0-2 against Stars with two more to play in regular season

The Colorado Avalanche put a scare into the Dallas Stars but in the end, couldn't recover from a slow start that saw them down 3-0 in the first period. The teams traded goals in the second and third periods as the Avalanche failed to complete the comeback, falling 5-3.

The Avalanche are now 0-2 against the Stars with two more games to play between the two teams in the regular season. Dallas, which won the Central Division this year, holds a three-point lead over the second place Avalanche. The Avalanche are tied with the St. Louis Blues for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

The Avalanche will face the Stars again on Tuesday night in Dallas before returning home to host the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.