Nathan MacKinnon had a part in both of Colorado’s strange goals in the second period before adding an empty-netter late as the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 in the opener of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

The first game of the Colorado Avalanche - Dallas Stars series was close to start with two full periods of scoreless hockey, but by the time the final horn of the second frame sounded, Nathan MacKinnon had added another milestone to an already stellar career.

Nathan MacKinnon scored twice in a three-point performance and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood won his Stanley Cup playoffs debut as the visiting Colorado Avalanche claimed a 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday to open their series.