Avs force seventh game against Stars

EDMONTON, Alberta — Rookie defenseman Cale Makar scored the goahead goal in the second period, thirdstring goaltender Michael Hutchinson stopped 27 shots and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Wednesday night to force a decisive Game 7 in their Western Conference second-round playoff series.

Nikita Zadorov and Mikko Rantanen also scored and Nathan Mackinnon added an empty-netter for the Avalanche, which staved off elimination for a second straight game to tie the series at three wins apiece. Colorado has never won a postseason series when trailing 3-1.

Game 7 is tonight.

The 30-year-old Hutchinson was back in net, with starter Philipp Grubauer and backup Pavel Francouz both sidelined. It was just Hutchinson’s second career NHL playoff start — and second win. He stymied Dallas after allowing an early goal.

“He’s an easy guy to cheer for,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “For him to to be able to step in and do what he’s done for us the last couple games is nothing short of amazing. He deserves all the credit.”

Miro Heiskanen scored for the Stars.

Both teams lost in Game 7 last season in the second round. Colorado is attempting to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2002. The Stars last went in 2008.

“We never thought it was going to be a sweep or an easy series,” Dallas forward Tyler Seguin said. “We always said it can go Game 6 or 7, and it’s 7, so here we are.”

This marked the first time in the high-scoring series that the winning team didn’t net at least five goals.

Mackinnon’s goal and assist gave him at least a point in all 14 games this postseason. He’s the first player to notch 25 postseason points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 14 or less games since Wayne Gretzky with Los Angeles in 1993 (eight goals, 17 assists in 14 games).