The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are locked in a tense Central Division battle, with late-season surges, key injuries, and Thomas Harley’s overtime heroics setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.

Hours after the NHL trade deadline, with rosters set, the top two teams in the NHL clashed at American Airlines Center Friday night for a measuring-stick game as the playoff race heats up. The Stars blew a late lead to fall 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche in a crushing shootout defeat,

The Colorado Avalanche are in a tight battle with Dallas for first place in the Central Division, so every point matters. They can pick up two more when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon unloaded four shots on the Penguins. He saved at least four more for his coaches afterwards.

Valeri Nichushkin scored with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, then made one of NHL-leading Colorado’s two shots in a shootout to beat Dallas 5-4 on Friday night, ending the Stars’ franchise-record winning streak at 10 games.

Share Colorado Avalanche (41-10-9, in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (38-14-9, in the Central Division) Dallas; Friday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche are looking to prolong a three-game win streak with a victory over the Dallas Stars.