Makar Leads Avalanche to Victory in OT Thriller

Cale Makar scored just 34 seconds into overtime to secure a 4-3 victory for the Colorado Avalanche against the Dallas Stars, following a dramatic comeback by the Stars who tied the game late in the third period with goals from Mavrik Bourque and Matt Duchene. Mikko Rantanen, making his return to Denver after being traded first to Carolina and then to Dallas, received a mix of cheers and boos, notably contributing an assist to the Stars' opening goal. The game marked an emotional reunion for Rantanen with his former teammates, highlighted by a dinner the night before. The Avalanche extended their home win streak to nine games and moved closer to the Stars in the Central Division standings. The match also featured a pre-game ceremony honoring Nathan MacKinnon's 1,000th NHL point. Makar's performance, which included two assists, was pivotal in maintaining the Avalanche's competitive edge in the division.