NHL Game Recap: Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
DENVER (AP) — Cale Makar scored 34 seconds into overtime and Colorado recovered after squandering a late two-goal lead to win 4-3 over the Dallas Stars on Sunday in the return of former Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen.
Leading 3-1 in the third, the Avalanche saw the Stars rally to tie the game on goals from Mavrik Bourque and Matt Duchene in a 20-second span.
In overtime, Makar weaved through the Dallas defense and beat Jake Oettinger with a wrist shot. It was a three-point performance for Makar as the Avalanche won their ninth straight home game.
Valeri Nichushkin, Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas also scored for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood made 19 saves.
The game was a thrilling matchup between two of the top teams in the Central Division. The Avalanche came out strong, but the Stars refused to give up, tying the game in the third period.
The Return of Mikko Rantanen
A fan favorite, Rantanen spent nearly a decade with Colorado. He was traded by the Avalanche as part of a three-team deal on Jan. 24 that landed him in Carolina — and brought Necas to Colorado — and then dealt to Dallas on March 7.
Rantanen’s return to Denver was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. He assisted on the game-opening goal scored by Jason Robertson and received a video tribute from his former team.
Related: Watch: Stars’ Mikko Rantanen wastes no time posting 400th NHL assist in return to Denver
Game Highlights
Jason Robertson scored the game-opening goal on an assist from Rantanen. Oettinger stopped 32 shots.
Colorado took two of three in the season series with the home team winning every game. The next time the two Central Division foes square off could be in the first round of the playoffs. The teams met last season in a second-round series that Dallas captured in six games.
Takeaways
Stars: Center Roope Hintz was back in the lineup after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. He had an assist.
Avalanche: Colorado went 1 for 5 on the power play.
Key Moment
Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon extended his home-point streak to 21 games with an assist on Makar’s OT goal.
Key Stat
Rantanen’s assist was No. 400 in his career.
What’s Next
The Stars start a four-game homestand against Anaheim on Tuesday, while the Avalanche begin a three-game trip Wednesday at Toronto.
The Stars are back home after dropping three of their last four amid an extended road trip.
The Finnish forward also received a video tribute as he faced off against his former team Sunday.
Conclusion
The game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars was an exciting matchup that came down to the wire. The Avalanche ultimately emerged victorious, thanks to a thrilling overtime goal by Cale Makar. The win marked the Avalanche’s ninth straight home game, and they will look to continue their streak as they head out on the road.
FAQs
Q: Who scored the game-winning goal in overtime?
A: Cale Makar scored the game-winning goal in overtime, just 34 seconds into the extra period.
Q: Who had a three-point performance in the game?
A: Cale Makar had a three-point performance in the game, with a goal and two assists.
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The final score of the game was 4-3 in favor of the Colorado Avalanche.
Q: Who received a video tribute during the game?
A: Mikko Rantanen received a video tribute during the game, as he faced off against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche.
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
