DALLAS (Interstat) — Martin Necas scored two goals, including the game-winner on a third-period power play, and the Colorado Avalanche held off the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center in the opener of a home-and-home series.

Necas, who finished with two shots on goal, broke a 2-1 game at 12:14 of the second period, converting a wrist shot with assists from Gabriel Landeskog and Devon Toews. The goal came moments after Dallas had killed off a cross-checking penalty to Kyle Capobianco, but the Stars could not clear the zone and Necas found space in the slot.

The Avalanche improved to 4-2-0 on the season, while the Stars fell to 2-4-0. Colorado goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 24 saves to earn the win, bouncing back from a rough outing on Saturday against Toronto when he allowed five goals. Blackwood was sharp throughout, particularly in the third period when Dallas pushed for the equalizer.

Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring for Colorado at 11:32 of the first period, taking a backhand feed from Nathan MacKinnon and beating Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger. Josh Manson picked up the secondary assist. The goal came shortly after Lehkonen had a shot blocked by MacKinnon in a chaotic sequence in front of the Dallas net.

Dallas answered late in the opening frame. Tyler Seguin, who had been buzzing all period, scored his second goal of the season at 19:06, wristing a shot past Blackwood. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen assisted on the play. Seguin finished the game with a goal, an assist and seven shots on goal, consistently driving the Stars’ offense.

The Stars had several chances to take the lead in the first period. Roope Hintz won multiple faceoffs in the offensive zone, and Colin Blackwell had a pair of wrist shots turned aside by Blackwood. Jamie Benn was physical throughout, delivering hits on Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Malinski, but Dallas could not solve Blackwood again until the third period.

Colorado regained the lead at 6:05 of the second period when Necas scored his first of the night on a slap shot. MacKinnon and Nicolas Roy assisted. The goal came after sustained pressure from the Avalanche, who cycled the puck effectively and forced Oettinger to make several saves before Necas found the back of the net.

The game turned physical in the second period. Nathan MacKinnon and Roope Hintz dropped the gloves at 12:46, each receiving five-minute fighting majors. The fight seemed to energize both benches, but Colorado maintained its composure and extended its lead on Necas’s second goal.

Fedor Svechkov was assessed an instigator penalty, a fighting major and a misconduct in the first period after a scuffle with Radek Faksa, giving Dallas a brief power play. The Stars could not convert, however, as Blackwood and the Avalanche penalty kill held firm.

Dallas cut the deficit to 3-2 at 9:17 of the third period when Hintz scored his second goal of the season, wristing a shot past Blackwood. Seguin and Heiskanen assisted. Hintz finished with a goal, two shots on goal and five penalty minutes. The goal came after Thomas Harley’s shot was blocked by Nicolas Roy, but the puck bounced to Hintz, who made no mistake.

The Stars pressed for the equalizer in the final minutes. Tyler Seguin had a wrap-around attempt saved by Blackwood with just over five minutes remaining. Nathan MacKinnon hit the right post at 17:20 of the third period, nearly adding an insurance goal for Colorado. Dallas pulled Oettinger for an extra attacker in the final minute, but the Avalanche defense blocked several shots and cleared the zone to preserve the win.

Oettinger finished with 28 saves for Dallas, who outshot Colorado 26-24. The Stars went 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Avalanche converted one of their four opportunities. Colorado also blocked 18 shots as a team, with Artturi Lehkonen and Brock Nelson each blocking multiple attempts.

MacKinnon finished with two assists and five penalty minutes to go with two shots on goal. His 12 points on the season lead the Avalanche. Lehkonen added a goal, a shot and two hits. Devon Toews contributed an assist, four shots on goal and a hit. Josh Manson had an assist, a shot and a hit.

For Dallas, Seguin’s goal and assist led the way. Heiskanen added two assists and a shot while logging heavy minutes on the blue line. Hintz had a goal and two shots. Jamie Benn was credited with multiple hits, and Esa Lindell blocked shots and contributed to the penalty kill.

The game featured several momentum swings. Colorado dominated the first half of the opening period, but Dallas responded with pressure late in the first and early in the second. The Avalanche regained control in the middle of the second period and held on in the third.

The teams will meet again Wednesday night in Denver to complete the home-and-home series. Colorado will look to sweep the two-game set, while Dallas will aim to earn a split on the road.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Dallas 4, Colorado 3. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Colorado with a 54.6 percent probability to win. Colorado had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 5 went over the over/under line of 5.5.