DALLAS, TEXAS — The Dallas Stars dropped yet another Game 1 under Pete DeBoer — now 0-7 in series openers, falling 5-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on home ice Saturday night.
Nathan MacKinnon powered through a high stick to the face and still had a hand in two second-period goals before scoring his 50th career playoff goal into an empty net. Colorado took control in the second and never looked back.
Mackenzie Blackwood, making his first-ever playoff start after 252 NHL games, made 23 saves and held the Stars in check.
Roope Hintz scored Dallas’ only goal midway through the third, but the Stars couldn’t recover from another slow postseason start. They’ve now lost four straight at home dating back to the end of the regular season.
Game 2 is Monday night in Dallas — and it already feels like a must-win.
