Avs make straightforward work of Stars in dominant Recreation 1 win (2:01)
The Avalanche put 5 targets previous the Stars to take a 1-0 collection lead in dominant style. (2:01)
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Related Press
Apr 20, 2025, 12:01 AM ET
DALLAS — Nathan MacKinnon had an element in each of Colorado’s unusual targets within the second interval earlier than including an empty-netter late because the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 within the opener of their first-round Western Convention playoff collection Saturday night time.
MacKinnon scored on a shot that deflected off Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, and knuckled previous goalie Jake Oettinger late within the second interval. That got here throughout an prolonged energy play, a double minor in opposition to the Stars after he took a excessive follow the face.
That got here after MacKinnon’s help halfway by way of the second interval on a aim by Artturi Lehkonen, who was following his preliminary shot and falling down after a collision in entrance of the web when the puck ricocheted off his decrease left leg into the highest nook of the web. The play was reviewed and officers dominated that there was no kicking movement by Lehkonen whereas tumbling to the ice with Mavrik Bourque.
“He was actually good tonight,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar mentioned. “You understand, like, clearly they’ll key on him — like we do on a few of their gamers — however actually sturdy defensive recreation from him. And clearly, his get-up-and-go on the offensive facet of it, he is making performs all night time. I assumed that line was harmful.”
There wasn’t a lot Oettinger may do on both of these targets because the Stars misplaced Recreation 1 of their eighth consecutive collection within the NHL playoffs since 2022. They’re 0-7 in collection openers underneath coach Pete DeBoer, six of these coming at residence. DeBoer noticed progress, nevertheless, calling the hassle Saturday night time “the most effective recreation we have performed in 3-4 weeks.”
Devon Toews gave Colorado a 3-1 lead with 7:04 left. MacKinnon’s empty-net tally for his fiftieth profession playoff aim got here with 3:08 left, 11 seconds earlier than Charlie Coyle scored.
This series-opening loss for the Stars got here after they completed the common season on an 0-5-2 stretch that included 4 losses at residence after being 28-5-3 earlier than that.
Recreation 2 is Monday night time in Dallas, earlier than the collection shifts to Denver.
Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 23 photographs in his first profession playoff recreation.
It was fairly particular,” Blackwood mentioned. “I have been ready to play within the playoffs for a very long time and it was nice to lastly get my first one.”
Blackwood was one in every of 11 gamers who’ve seen motion since being acquired by way of Colorado’s eight in-season trades. These offers included the Avalanche buying and selling Mikko Rantanen on Jan. 24 to Carolina within the East. He performed solely 13 video games earlier than a deadline deal March 7 despatched him again to the Central Division with the Stars and included an eight-year, $96 million contract extension.
Rantanen, who had 101 factors (34 targets, 67 assists) in 81 playoff video games for the Avalanche, had three photographs and one block over 18 minutes in his postseason debut with the Stars.
Oettinger had 19 saves, three when Colorado had a two-man benefit within the first interval when Cale Makar drew two tripping penalties solely 36 seconds other than one another.
Roope Hintz, who had the penalty in opposition to MacKinnon, trimmed the Stars’ deficit to 2-1 on his aim with 13:15 left within the recreation, simply earlier than the tip of an influence play and a few minute after DeBoer known as a timeout.
Bednar bought his fiftieth playoff win with the Avs — in his 82nd postseason recreation, equal to a full common season. That broke a tie with Bob Hartley for probably the most wins by a coach in franchise historical past. Each gained Stanley Cups — Bednar in 2022 and Hartley in 2001.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
