EDMONTON, AB The biggest boost for the Colorado Avalanche in must-win game after must-win game comes from an unlikely source their third-string goaltender.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 27 shots and the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Wednesday night to force a decisive Game 7 in their second-round playoff series.
He deserves all the credit.Rookie defenseman Cale Makar scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, while Nikita Zadorov and Mikko Rantanen also added goals.
Nathan MacKinnon scored an empty-netter for the Avalanche, who staved off elimination for a second straight game to tie the series at three wins apiece.
We never thought it was going to be a sweep or an easy series, Stars forward Tyler Seguin said.