6 hours Ago By Evan Rawal [email protected]
DALLAS - Advantage, Avalanche. Colorado came into American Airlines Center on Saturday night and took back home-ice advantage, beating the Dallas Stars by a score of 5-1. Here are three takeaways from Colorado's massive Game 1 victory.
Big goal Lehky breaks through Artturi Lehkonen had not scored a goal since March 10 against Chicago. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar knew the clutch winger would break through eventually and he chose one heck of a time to do so, with a bit of luck. Lehkonen's initial shot was stopped by Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, but the rebound kicked out to him.
While he was taken down by Mavrik Bourque, the puck bounced off Lehkonen's skate and over Oettinger's shoulder, giving the Avalanche the early 1-0 lead. Big goal Lehky rides again. Blackwood answers the bell How's that for a playoff debut? Mackenzie Blackwood's first career playoff save came off a wide open Roope Hintz in front, as the goaltender stuck his big leg out to make the save.
From that point on, he was aces, only being beat by a Hintz deflection. The moment certainly didn't look too big for him. Quiet Rantanen In his first career playoff game against the Avalanche, Mikko Rantanen was awfully quiet, particularly at even strength.
Most of his dangerous moments came when the Stars had a man advantage, but even then, he was pretty quiet. On the other side, Martin Necas picked up an assist on Lehkonen's second period goal..
