NHL

Eaves caps Stars' 3-goal 1st period in win over Avalanche

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) blocks a shot by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) cannot stop a shot by Dallas Stars' Brett Ritchie (not shown), allowing the goal, as Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) and Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) look on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Dallas Stars left wing Lauri Korpikoski (38) and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Patrick Eaves capped Dallas' three-goal first period and the Stars held off the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 Thursday night.

Johnny Oduya and Brett Ritchie also scored in the first for Dallas, and Kari Lehtonen finished with 34 saves.

Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist and Mikhail Grigorenko also scored for the Avalanche, who nearly rallied after trailing 3-0 after the first. Semyon Varlamov stopped 19 shots and snapped an 11-game winning streak against the Stars.

Lehtonen stopped MacKinnon on a breakaway midway through the second period and again on a rebound with 10 minutes left in the game.