Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, right, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring against the Dallas Stars in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lehkonen has 2 goals and 2 assists, Makar also scores 2 as Avalanche beat Stars 6-3
DENVER (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen had two goals and two assists, Cale Makar also scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 on Saturday.
Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt each had a goal and two assists, and Josh Manson also had two assists for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood stopped 26 shots.
Jason Robertson had two goals and an assist, Matt Duchene also scored, and Wyatt Johnson had three assists for the Stars. Casey DeSmith finished with 30 saves.
Duchene opened the scoring at 3:24 of the first period on Dallas’ first shot on goal. It was his 18th of the season.
Mittelstadt tied it with 6:53 remaining in the opening period, and Makar put the Avalanche ahead midway through the second with his 100th career goal. Makar became the fifth-fastest defenseman in the NHL’s modern history to reach the mark, doing it in his 362nd game.
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood heads back to the net during a timeout in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lehkonen got his first of the night less than 90 seconds later and Drouin made it 4-1 with his 100th goal with 1:30 left in the second.
Lehkonen gave the Avalanche a four-goal lead at 8:13 of the third, and Robertson scored twice 39 seconds apart to pull the Stars to 5-3 with 8:13 remaining.
Takeaways
Avalanche: Colorado improved to 10-3-1 in its past 14 games and moved into a tie with the Stars for third place in the Central Division.
Stars: Dallas lost for the third time in four games after winning seven straight.
From left to right, Dallas Stars center Sam Steel, Stars center Mavrik Bourque, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson and Stars right wing Matěj Blümel fight for control of the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Key moment
Dallas appeared to pul to 3-2 late in the second period on a goal from Matěj Blümel, but after a challenge from Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, it was overturned when officials determined Blümel was offside. Drouin scored about two minutes later to extend Colorado’s lead to 4-1.
Key stat
The Avalanche and Stars combined to score on three of their seven power-play opportunities. Dallas and Colorado entered the day No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the penalty kill since Dec. 7.
Up Next
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, shoots against Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith, right, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Avalanche host Minnesota on Monday, and Stars host Detroit on Sunday.
Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith stops a shot in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, center, is congratulated while passing the team box after scoring against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars right wing Evgenii Dadonov, left, shoots against Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith, right, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, left, tries to push the puck past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, center bottom, as Colorado Avalanche defensemen Josh Manson, front right, and Cale Makar, back right, cover in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta, right, defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, right, acknowledges the crowd after scoring two goals against the Dallas Stars in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) reacts as time runs out in an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars right wing Evgenii Dadonov, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) pursues in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars center Sam Steel, right, pursues the puck with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, left, in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen (16) defends in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, right, collects the puck as Dallas Stars center Colin Blackwell, left, defends in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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