Three Key Takeaways From Avalanche's 4-3 Overtime Win Over Stars

The Colorado Avalanche won their second straight game Sunday afternoon against Central Division rival Dallas --  the Avs' eighth win in their past nine games that improved their record to 41-24-3 this season.

Here are three key takeaways from Colorado's victory over the Stars:

1. Avs overcome Dallas' early lead, stake out 3-1 advantage after two periods

The Avalanche were down 1-0 to the Stars at the 4:10 mark of the first period on a goal from Dallas winger Jason Robertson. However, the Avs stormed back with the next three goals of the game to go up 3-1 after two periods of play.

Star forward Martin Necas got Colorado on the scoreboard with his 23rd goal of the season -- and in the middle frame, the Avalanche got goals from forwards Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin to take a commanding lead into the third period. The Avs limited the Stars to just 10 shots on net in the first two periods, and that defensive success was reflected on the scoresheet.

2. Sloppy third period from Avalanche allows Stars to force OT

After generating 27 shots on net through the first 40 minutes, the Avs allowed Dallas to out-shoot them 12-8 in the third period -- and that's was what the Stars needed to get back into the game.

First, Dallas forward Mavrik Bourque struck for his 10th goal of the season with 5:48 left in regulation time -- then, just 20 seconds later, the Stars evened things up when forward Matt Duchene posted his 26th goal of the season to force overtime. Simply put, Colorado took its foot off the gas late in the game, and Dallas was able to secure a valuable point in the standings by pushing the game to extra time.

3. Superstar Makar caps off three-point day by scoring game-winner, pushing Avs closer to Stars in Central standings

Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar had a banner day on offense Sunday, posting a primary assist on Necas' goal, then adding another assist on Nichushkin's marker. But Makar's biggest contribution was a terrific individual effort in OT, as he potted his 25th goal of the year just 34 seconds into the extra period to give the Avs the victory.

With the win, Colorado crept one point closer to the Stars in the Central standings. The Avs are now 8-1-1 in their past 10 games, and they're now just two points behind Dallas for second place in the Central. The Stars do have two games in hand on the Avalanche, but as the possibility of a Dallas-Colorado playoff series looks more and more like what we're going to get in Round One, the Avs' win Sunday was a statement game.

This was the final regular-season game between Colorado and Dallas this season, and the Avalanche's win put the season series at 2-1-0 in the Avs' favor. If we do see the Stars and Avalanche squaring off in the opening round -- or at any point in the post-season -- we're definitely going to get entertaining hockey. And the Avs have shown repeatedly that they're up to the challenge of taking on one of the NHL's deepest teams.