Cale Makar returns after welcoming twins, but Avalanche suffer bizarre night against Stars

The Colorado Avalanche entered Wednesday night's matchup against the Dallas Stars with an encouraging development. Superstar defenseman Cale Makar was back in the lineup after missing Tuesday's game for a special family occasion.

Makar and his wife welcomed twin boys, giving the defenseman an unforgettable personal milestone during the opening weeks of the NHL season. His return provided a boost for Colorado as the Avalanche attempted to complete consecutive victories over Dallas.

Unfortunately, the game itself became a frustrating experience.

The Stars defeated Colorado 3-2 in a shootout at Ball Arena, with Roope Hintz scoring the deciding goal in the fourth round. The result was disappointing enough for the Avalanche.

But the unusual sequence of events throughout the evening made the defeat even more frustrating.

The Avalanche appeared to open the scoring early in the first period. Jaden Schwartz put the puck in the net, but Dallas successfully challenged the play for offside.

"Everybody's doing well. It's a cool experience going through all that. My wife's an absolute champ, and glad I was able to be here and be a part of it." 🗣️ Cale Makar Full postgame availability ⬇️ https://t.co/nPUDcjeWrf

Later in the period, Colorado thought it had scored again when Gabriel Landeskog directed the puck into the net. Officials ruled that Landeskog had used a distinct kicking motion, resulting in another disallowed goal.

Two apparent goals had disappeared before the first period ended. The Avalanche eventually broke through in the second period when Landeskog scored a goal that counted.

But Dallas responded. Miro Heiskanen tied the game later in the period, setting up another dramatic finish between two teams that had already played a close game Tuesday.

The Stars took a 2-1 lead early in the third period when Arttu Hyry intercepted the puck and scored a shorthanded breakaway goal. Brock Nelson answered for Colorado, tying the game at two.

Neither team scored during overtime, sending the contest to a shootout. Hintz eventually delivered the decisive goal, allowing Dallas to split the back-to-back meetings.

Makar missed Tuesday's 3-2 victory over Dallas because he was with his wife awaiting the birth of their twins. His return Wednesday provided an important boost for Colorado's defensive group.

The accomplished defenseman played 22 minutes and 54 seconds, demonstrating that he was prepared to handle a significant workload immediately.

Makar's presence is important because of his ability to influence games at both ends of the ice. He can create offense from the blue line, move the puck efficiently and help Colorado transition from defense to attack.

Those contributions make him one of the NHL's most valuable players at his position. Wednesday's game also demonstrated that even elite players can experience difficult moments.

Hyry's shorthanded goal developed after he intercepted a play involving Makar near the blue line. The Stars forward raced away and finished the opportunity, giving Dallas a temporary advantage.

It was an unfortunate moment during an otherwise memorable week for Makar.

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The Avalanche finished Wednesday with a 4-2-1 record, while Dallas improved to 3-3-1. Colorado had opportunities to win the game, including the two first-period plays that were eventually overturned.

The Avalanche also received goals from Landeskog and Nelson, along with two assists from Nazem Kadri. But Dallas capitalized on its opportunities and received 25 saves from Casey DeSmith.

The Stars' ability to respond after losing Tuesday's matchup demonstrated their resilience. For Colorado, the challenge is avoiding frustration over the result.

The Avalanche have plenty of offensive talent and remain capable of competing with the NHL's strongest teams. They also have their star defenseman back following one of the most memorable personal milestones of his life.

Wednesday's defeat will eventually become another result in a long regular season. Makar's growing family, however, gives him something considerably more important to remember from the week.

For the Avalanche, the focus now turns toward translating that positive energy into another victory.