- The biggest problem for us was that half of our players were not in the match. They were not ready to play when they went out on the ice, they were not ready to do what it takes to win an ice hockey match. You can get away with one or two free passengers, but no more. And I take it on, it is my responsibility to get everyone involved, says Colorado coach Jared Bednar.

Several players are also self-critical.

- It felt like we waited and let them control the game. It will be a tough series, but they must be able to beat us three more times and until the next meeting we will be well prepared, says Nathan MacKinnon.

- Dallas is a good team, they would not be here otherwise, but much of what happened we have ourselves to blame for, says Landeskog.

"Dallas did everyone right"

Dallas took control of the game early, 3-1 in the first period break became 4-3 in the second. The end result is written 5–3.

Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog scored a goal and an assist, MacKinnon accounted for the team's other two goals.

For Dallas, Alexander Radulov scored two goals. John Klingberg provided an assist when Roope Hintz put the decisive 5-3.

- Dallas did everyone right, they played really well. But we gave them a lot for free, we made some bad choices, says coach Jared Bednar.

Injured goalkeeper

Colorado goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer left the ice with a leg injury in the second period.

- He pulled on something and could not continue to play, it's bad enough. Time will tell how it goes, but I do not think he will play the next match. Hopefully we will get him back soon, in the meantime Frankie (Pavel Francouz) will get the job done, Bednar says.

The teams will meet next time on Tuesday night against Swedish time in the quarter-final series, which will be decided in the best of seven matches.