DALLAS — Colin Blackwell picked the perfect time for his first career playoff goal with the Stars — and it couldn’t have come in a bigger moment.
Blackwell scored 17:46 into overtime to give Dallas a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, evening their first-round Western Conference series at one game apiece.
The fourth-line forward’s game-winner came off a second effort. His initial shot bounced off teammate Sam Steel and Colorado defenseman Samuel Girard in front of the crease. Blackwell, staying with the play, circled back around and tapped in the loose puck for the decisive goal.
According to NHL Stats, he became just the second player in Stars/North Stars franchise history to score an overtime goal in his first Stanley Cup Playoff game with the team, joining Brian Propp (1991).
“I’ve always felt my game is made for the playoffs,” Blackwell said. “Honestly, I was still thinking about being a minus on one of those late goals. So to come back and help the boys get this one — it’s huge.”
Blackwell also registered a playoff career-high five hits in the win.
Tyler Seguin, Thomas Harley and Evgenii Dadonov also found the net for the Stars, who rebounded after squandering a 3-1 lead in the second period. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stood tall down the stretch, including a crucial penalty kill early in the third that helped swing momentum back in Dallas’ favor.
The Stars, who have now lost eight straight Game 1s dating back to 2022, avoided falling into a two-game hole at home for the second consecutive postseason.
Game 3 is set for Friday night in Denver as the series shifts to Ball Arena.
