NHL Highlights Stars vs Avalanche - April 1 2023 - YouTube

MacKinnon, Avalanche beat Stars 6-3 to take 3-1 series lead

Nathan MacKinnon scored twice Mikko Rantanen had a goal and three assists and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead in their second-round playoff series.

Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen each registered a goal and assist as the Colorado Avalanche scored six unanswered to overcome a 3-0 deficit and beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series Saturday night.

The Avalanche now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can clinch a berth in the Western Conference finals with a win in Game 5 on Monday night in Dallas.

The Stars took an early 3-0 lead on goals by Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson in the first 12:30 of the game. But Colorado answered with three goals in the second period to tie the game and then took the lead for good on MacKinnon's second goal of the game at 1:52 of the third period.

Cale Makar and Devon Toews also scored for the Avalanche, who outshot the Stars 36-29.

Jake Oettinger made 30 saves for the Stars, while Alexandar Georgiev stopped 26 shots for the Avalanche.

The Stars will try to avoid elimination in Game 5 on Monday night in Dallas.