Makar scores 34 seconds into OT, Avalanche hold off Stars 4-3 in Mikko Rantanen's return to Colorado

Makar scores 34 seconds into OT, Avalanche hold off Stars 4-3 in Mikko Rantanen’s return to Colorado

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar reacts after scoring the winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, front, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, center, puts a shot on Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, left, after driving past defenseman Esa Lindell in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Avalanche injured captain Gabriel Landeskog, back, presents a golden stick to center Nathan MacKinnon, front left, for his 1,000 career point in an Avalanche sweater as MacKinnon’s fiance, Charlotte Walker, looks on during a ceremony before an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, right, scores a goal over the shoulder of Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, center as defenseman Ryan Lindgren covers in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, right, is congratulated after scoring a goal by center Roope Hintz and defenseman Thomas Harley, left, in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel, left, checks Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen steps on the ice to warm up before an NHL hockey game against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen warms up before an NHL hockey game against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, back, shoots the puck past Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, front, stops a shot off the stick of Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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From left, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, center Brock Nelson and defenseman Samuel Girard confer before a face off against the Dallas Stars in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar reacts after getting hit in the head while jostling with Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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From left, Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle struggles to collect the puck as Dallas Stars center Sam Steel, Colorado defenseman Ryan Lindgren, Dallas center Mavrik Bourque and Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood look on in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars center Sam Steel, right, looks to put a shot on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, right, as defenseman Samuel Girard covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment, front, looks to pass the puck to center Matt Duchene, back left, as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

By PAT GRAHAM

DENVER (AP) — Cale Makar scored 34 seconds into overtime and Colorado recovered after squandering a late two-goal lead to win 4-3 over the Dallas Stars on Sunday in the return of former Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen.

Leading 3-1 in the third, the Avalanche saw the Stars rally to tie the game on goals from Mavrik Bourque and Matt Duchene in a 20-second span.

In overtime, Makar weaved through the Dallas defense and beat Jake Oettinger with a wrist shot. It was a three-point performance for Makar as the Avalanche won their ninth straight home game.

Valeri Nichushkin, Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas also scored for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood made 19 saves.

A fan favorite, Rantanen spent nearly a decade with Colorado. He was trade by the Avalanche as part of a three-team deal on Jan. 24 that landed him in Carolina — and brought Necas to Colorado — and then dealt to Dallas on March 7.

Jason Robertson scored the game-opening goal on an assist from Rantanen. Oettinger stopped 32 shots.

Colorado took two of three in the season series with the home team winning every game. The next time the two Central Division foes square off could be in the first round of the playoffs. The teams met last season in a second-round series that Dallas captured in six games.

Takeaways

Stars: Center Roope Hintz was back in the lineup after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. He had an assist.

Avalanche: Colorado went 1 for 5 on the power play.

Key moment

Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon extended his home-point streak to 21 games with an assist on Makar’s OT goal.

Key stat

Rantanen’s assist was No. 400 in his career.

Up next

The Stars start a four-game homestand against Anaheim on Tuesday, while the Avalanche begin a three-game trip Wednesday at Toronto.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl