The Dallas Morning News staff predicts the outcome of the second round Stanley Cup playoff series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche...

Lia Assimakopoulos, Stars beat writer

The Avalanche may be well-rested, but the Stars have had more success without long breaks . I see their Game 7 momentum carrying forward into the first two games of the series at home. The Stars didn’t get to show much of their offensive prowess in the series against Vegas, as goaltending and strong defense by the Golden Knights made every score hard to come by. Colorado doesn’t have that same strength and has had some issues in net, so expect higher-scoring affairs.

Still, Dallas won’t want to get into offensive shootouts each night. If the Stars can win at least one game at home to start the series, they’ll be set up for success, but either way, it’s tough to see this round ending any way besides another Game 7. We all know what happens when Pete DeBoer is put in that position. Stars in seven games .

Tim Cowlishaw, columnist

Can the Stars endure another seven-game series with no rest in between? Well, they may have to do so. The Avs are loaded with offensive stars, so this has to be a series where Jake Oettinger stands up and outperforms Alexandar Georgiev . He’s capable and appears ready for the task. Stars in seven games.

Kevin Sherrington, columnist

Jake Oettinger was great against the Golden Knights, and if he’s that good again against the Avs, it’ll be one of the greatest transformations since Earl Scheib painted my lavender car red in 1973. Colorado scored an average of five goals a game in winning three out of four against the Stars this year . Not sure he’s gotten over that yet. Avs in six games.