The second-round series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche shifted to Denver, Colorado, for Games 3 and 4. The Stars downed the Avalanche 4-1 in Game 3 at Ball Arena on Saturday night. Dallas leads the series vs. Colorado 2-1.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Craig Smith, Sam Steel, Evgenii Dadonov, Chris Tanev, Esa Lindell, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 28 saves for a win.
Meanwhile, Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev made 19 saves in a losing effort.
The Avalanche looked for more aggression as the series shifted to Denver.
The first period was rather physical. Miles Wood was called for roughing against Roope Hintz and Ryan Suter was called for roughing against Ross Colton — both at 5:30. The Avalanche got two power-play opportunities after the Stars were penalized for too many men on the ice at 7:54 and Nils Lundkvist was called for hooking against Colton, but couldn’t capitalize on either one.
The Stars got on the board late in the first period. Logan Stankoven fired a wrist shot into the Avalanche’s net for a 1-0 lead at 18:39. Miro Heiskanen collected the lone assist on Stankoven’s first of the playoffs. Previously, Stankoven scored a goal on March 20th vs. Arizona.
The physicality resumed in the final seconds of the first period. Matt Duchene was called for tripping against Mikko Rantanen, Mason Marchment was called for unsportsmanlike conduct against Josh Manson, and Manson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct against Marchment — all at 19:43.
The Stars led the Avalanche 1-0 at the end of the first period. Colorado outshot Dallas 13-6 after 20 minutes.
The second period opened with 1:43 left on the Stars and Avalanche’s respective penalty kills.
The Avalanche finally got on the board midway through the second period. Mikko Rantanen put a backhand shot into the Stars’ net to tie the game 1-1 at 10:24. Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews collected the assists on Rantanen’s third of the playoffs.
The Stars reclaimed the lead late in the second period. Tyler Seguin scored on a tip-in shot to make it a 2-1 game at 15:13. Evgenii Dadonov and Sam Steel collected the assists on Seguin’s second of the playoffs.
The Stars brought a 2-1 lead to the locker room at the end of two periods. Colorado outshot Dallas 23-13 through 40 minutes.
The Stars scored a goal in the final minutes of the third period. Tyler Seguin fired a wrist shot into the Avalanche’s net for an empty-net goal and a 3-1 lead at 18:23. Matt Duchene collected the lone assist on Seguin’s third of the playoffs.
The Stars sealed the third-period scoring. Logan Stankoven put a shot into the Avalanche’s net for an empty-net goal and a 4-1 lead at 19:32. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz collected the assists on Stankoven’s second of the playoffs and second of the game.
The Stars defeated the Avalanche 4-1 at the end of regulation. Colorado outshot Dallas 30-23 after a full 60 minutes.
Notes
New Sweepstakes
The Stars offered a chance for a lucky Stars fan to win two tickets to see them in Game 5 on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Central. If you’re interested, you can learn more by clicking here.
Up Next
The Stars and Avalanche will meet again for Game 4 on Monday at 9:30 p.m. Central.
ITR 26: 2 Nations Fighting – Inside The Rink
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