The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars 5-1 in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Saturday night.
Nathan MacKinnon contributed to both of Colorado’s second-period goals before adding an empty-netter late in the game.
MacKinnon scored when his shot deflected off Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and knuckled past goalie Jake Oettinger. The goal came during a double-minor power play after MacKinnon took a high stick to the face.
Earlier in the period, MacKinnon assisted on Artturi Lehkonen’s goal. Lehkonen was following his initial shot and falling down after colliding with Mavrik Bourque when the puck ricocheted off his lower left leg into the top corner of the net. Officials reviewed the play and ruled there was no kicking motion.
The Stars have now lost Game 1 in eight consecutive playoff series since 2022.
Devon Toews extended Colorado’s lead to 3-1 with 7:04 remaining in the third period. MacKinnon’s empty-netter, his 50th career playoff goal, came with 3:08 left, followed by Charlie Coyle scoring 11 seconds later.
Dallas entered the playoffs struggling, finishing the regular season on an 0-5-2 stretch that included four home losses.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night in Dallas before the series moves to Denver.
Mackenzie Blackwood, one of 11 players acquired through Colorado’s eight in-season trades, made 23 saves.
Mikko Rantanen, traded from Colorado to Carolina on January 24 before being sent to Dallas at the March 7 deadline, recorded three shots and one block in 18 minutes of ice time in his first playoff game with the Stars. Rantanen had 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists) in 81 playoff games with the Avalanche.
Oettinger finished with 19 saves, including three during a Colorado two-man advantage in the first period when Cale Makar drew two tripping penalties just 36 seconds apart.
Roope Hintz, who had the penalty against MacKinnon, scored Dallas’ lone goal with 13:15 left in the game, just before a power play expired and about a minute after coach Pete DeBoer called a timeout.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar earned his 50th playoff win with Colorado in his 82nd postseason game, breaking a tie with Bob Hartley for most wins by a coach in franchise history. Both coaches won Stanley Cups—Bednar in 2022 and Hartley in 2001.
