Peter DeBoer is still undefeated in Game 7s, now 9-0, as the Stars pumped in four third-period goals to overtake the Avalanche, 4-2, at American Airlines Center, advancing to the second round, where they'll await Sunday's Game 7 winner between the Jets and Blues.

Mikko Rantanen's empy-netter with just under three seconds left gave him a hat-trick in the period against his old mates and sealed the win. The Stars, however, got the game-winner from Wyatt Johnson on the power play (assisted by Rantanen) after Jack Drury was called for holding Tyler Seguin with just 4:13 remaining. Sixteen seconds later:

These teams were pretty even throughout the season and in this series. Not always the best playoff hockey — not a lot of shots — but there were a lot of quality goals to make up for it. Good series. Best team won.