The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche complete a two-game, two-city back-to-back on Wednesday, October 14, at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (8:30 p.m. Eastern; 00:30 UTC on October 15).
Game Details
- Matchup: Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche
- Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
- Puck drop: 6:30 p.m. MDT
- Status: Regular-season game
This is the second half of a back-to-back between the teams. Dallas hosts Colorado on Tuesday before both clubs travel to Denver for Wednesday’s rematch, according to the Stars’ 2026-27 schedule announcement. The quick turnaround makes Tuesday’s workload, result and goalie usage important variables that cannot be fully assessed in advance.
Matchup Breakdown
Entering the two-game set, Colorado owns a 3-1-0 record and has scored 23 goals in four games. Dallas is 2-2-0 with 10 goals scored and six allowed over its first four contests, according to the early-season figures compiled by Squawka.
Those numbers establish a clear contrast. Colorado has generated substantially more offense, while Dallas has been much more difficult to score against. Ball Arena gives the Avalanche the home setting for the second game, but neither side has a rest advantage because both will be playing on consecutive nights and traveling between games.
Special teams add another layer. Using the supplied 2025-26 season data, Dallas posted a 28.6% power play and an 80.3% penalty kill. Colorado recorded a 17.1% power play and an 84.6% penalty kill. The Stars’ power-play advantage could matter in a close matchup, particularly if fatigue leads to penalties, while Colorado’s stronger penalty-killing rate offers a possible counterweight.
The score and style of Tuesday’s game should influence Wednesday’s outlook. Heavy minutes for top skaters, an overtime finish or an unusually demanding defensive performance could make the second meeting less predictable than a typical one-off matchup.
Goalies and Injury Watch
Projected Dallas goalie: Jake Oettinger. This assignment is not confirmed. Oettinger has a reported .967 save percentage through three starts, while Casey DeSmith has a .923 save percentage in his appearance. Because this is the second night of a back-to-back, Dallas could adjust its plan based on who starts Tuesday and how that game unfolds.
Projected Colorado goalie: Unconfirmed. Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood are the listed options, with reported save percentages of .867 and .897, respectively. Bettors should wait for an official announcement because the choice could materially affect both the side and total.
The Covers matchup injury listing has Colorado forward Logan O’Connor as day-to-day with a lower-body issue and Georgii Merkulov on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Dallas has Matt Duchene on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury, Joel Kiviranta out with a lower-body issue, Harrison Scott on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury and Cameron Hughes on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. These statuses should be rechecked closer to puck drop.
Odds and Betting Considerations
As of October 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. UTC, the available odds comparison listed Colorado at -109 at Caesars and Dallas at -104 at BetOnline.ag and LowVig.ag.
For the puck line, Colorado -1.5 was +225 at BetRivers, while Dallas +1.5 was -250 at DraftKings. The total was six goals, with Over 6 at -109 and Under 6 at -107 at BetOnline.ag.
At those prices, Colorado’s moneyline is more appealing than laying 1.5 goals. Dallas’ defensive start and the possibility of Oettinger playing make a one-goal game plausible. The total is harder to approach before the goalies are confirmed: Colorado’s scoring form supports the over, but Dallas has allowed only six goals through four games. Because the odds were checked two days before the matchup, current prices should be verified before placing a wager.
Prediction
Prediction: Avalanche 3, Stars 2.
Colorado gets the narrow edge based on its early offensive production and home-ice setting. The Avalanche’s 23 goals through four games demonstrate a higher scoring ceiling than Dallas has shown, and a moneyline near -109 does not require Colorado to win by multiple goals.
The main uncertainty is goaltending. Oettinger’s early save percentage supports Dallas’ ability to suppress Colorado’s attack, but his availability for the second game of the back-to-back is unconfirmed. Tuesday’s goalie assignments and workload could change the matchup considerably. The preferred lean is Colorado on the moneyline at a price close to the quoted -109, with no strong total play until the starters are known.
