The Dallas Stars have an advantage besides home-ice advantage when they host the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 on Saturday night.
They have coach Peter DeBoer.
DeBoer has an 8-0 record in Game 7s. If the Stars win Saturday, he would set a record for most Game 7 victories by either a coach or a player.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, meanwhile, has never won a Game 7, going 0-3.
DeBoer is also 3-0 in playoff series against the Avalanche. Colorado has never won a Game 7 on the road since moving from Quebec in 1995.
USA TODAY Sports offers its predictions on whether the Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche will win Game 7 and advance to the second round:
Game 7 predictions
Jason Anderson – Avalanche 5, Stars 2: Colorado has created more of the chances throughout the series, and that has to add up to something. Expect a close one that sees Cale Makar dominate, with the Avs finally sealing the series with a late empty-netter.
Mike Brehm – Avalanche 5, Stars 3: DeBoer can’t stay perfect forever, right? I had the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and I have faith they can pull this one off against a Stars team still missing Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen. Just make sure you don’t give up a goal in the first nine seconds this time.
Jace Evans – Avalanche 4, Stars 3: I picked Avalanche in seven before the series and I’m sticking with it. The Avs have, on balance, been the better team this series, holding a 22-17 advantage in goals and a 214-167(!) edge in shots.
How to watch Stars vs. Avalanche Game 7: TV, stream
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
- TV: ABC
- Stream: Fubo, ESPN+