​IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe first game between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars looked a lot more entertaining than the second one did. And it wasn’t just the fights.On Wednesday, the Avs and Stars played a slog of a game that had quite a few bounces for both clubs and a game that ended in a shootout. The Stars came out on top, but Colorado walked away from the home-and-home with three of four possible points. There were some positives to take away from that game, but there were quite a few things that needed to be better to give the Avs an opportunity to sweep the series.Sitting atop the list is the power play, and it’s something that could see some changes in the coming day.Also Read:Postgame: Avalanche Salvage a Point Against Stars Despite Shorthanded Mistake10 Takeaways1. I remember saying on opening night that the Avalanche absolutely can’t play with fire when it comes to their power play. Those two shorthanded goals they gave up didn’t end up mattering in the grand scheme of things. But if those bad habits were going to continue, it would end up biting them in a game that matters more.This was that game. The shorthanded goal that Arrtu Hyry scored because of a mistake by Cale Makar was probably the difference between a regulation win and a shootout loss. Kudos to the Avs for fighting back to tie it up before the end of regulation. But if the power play didn’t give one up, and if they actually found a way to do the thing and score, we’d probably be talking about a full-on sweep of the Stars with two regulation wins.2. What makes the power play all the more front of mind is the bizarre situation happening behind the Avs’ bench. It’s been rumored since Monday that assistant coach Dave Hakstol, who runs the PP, is leaving the organization to take over as interim head coach at ASU. The reports began Monday, but Hakstol remained behind the bench for both Dallas games. Now, those rumors are heating up and it appears that an announcement could come Thursday morning. If that’s the case, and if the rumors that Brett McLean is replacing him, it means a new voice is going to handle the Avalanche’s power play moving forward. I’m not sure how long this has been in the works and how much time Jared Bednar got to spend interviewing candidates, but I’d imagine every conversation began with asking any potential hire how they’d fix this mess. Let’s see if McLean, assuming he’s the guy, has in store.3. Kudos to my colleague Corey Masisak at the Denver Post for this stat: The Avalanche have given up a league-leading 16 shorthanded goals against in their last 89 regular-season games dating back to opening night last season. They’ve also given up the fewest power-play goals against, at just 39, in that same span.It’s a strange, stark difference. Avs went 0-for-4 on the power play tonight with a shorthanded goal against. They’ve allowed 16 shorthanded goals in the past 89 regular-season games, which is easily the mo