Mikko Rantanen Powers Stars Past Avalanche, Advances to Playoffs

Mikko Rantanen delivered a remarkable Game 7 performance, scoring a hat trick to lead the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 comeback victory over his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, and secure a spot in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Rantanen, who was traded twice during a tumultuous season—from Colorado to Carolina and then to Dallas—had faced a challenging year both mentally and professionally. Despite scoring only five goals in 20 regular season games with the Stars, he elevated his play in the postseason, recording five goals and seven assists in the series against the Avalanche. The Stars overcame a 2-0 deficit in the third period, with Rantanen tying the game before Wyatt Johnston scored the game-winner and Rantanen sealed the win with an empty-net goal. This performance validated Dallas's decision to sign him to a long-term extension, with team management and coaches praising his resilience and impact. Rantanen expressed gratitude for the support from his new team, noting the difficulty of adapting after multiple trades but crediting the Stars organization for helping him settle in.