DALLAS — Picture this: during the training camp in Denver last September, someone approaches Mikko Rantanen and says, “Hey Mikko, you’re going to score a hat trick in Game 7 … for the Dallas Stars to defeat the Colorado Avalanche.” Rantanen, recalling that moment, chuckled and replied, “I think I would have left the room in disbelief. But yeah, for sure I would have not believed it had someone told me that.” This improbable scenario unfolded on Saturday night, showcasing Rantanen's incredible journey throughout the season.
Rantanen's journey this season was anything but smooth. “It was a difficult year personally, you know, mentally tough overall,” he reflected. After being traded not once but twice, first to Carolina and then to Dallas, Rantanen faced numerous challenges. “Getting traded twice — it’s not fun ever to get traded even once, but twice in a season. But I got to thank everyone here in Dallas. Everyone, from the players and coaches to the massage therapist, has been very welcoming and helped me adapt.” His transition to Dallas was crucial, especially as he sought to find his footing in a new team environment.
Rantanen’s dramatic season reached a thrilling climax with his Game 7 heroics, leading the Stars to a comeback victory over his former team with a score of 4-2. This match not only marked a pivotal moment for Rantanen but also capped one of the most memorable first-round series in the modern era of the NHL. Stars GM Jim Nill remarked, “Mikko put the team on his back. Colorado’s a heck of a team. But Mikko decided to put the team on his back. He drove it.” This was exactly the type of performance Nill anticipated when he acquired Rantanen from Carolina on March 7 and secured him with an eight-year extension.
Initially, the playoffs saw Rantanen under scrutiny for his performance, having recorded just one assist in the first four games. Questions arose about whether he could adjust to playing against his longtime friends in Colorado or maintain his productivity without his old linemate, Nathan MacKinnon. However, Rantanen quickly silenced any doubts, amassing an impressive 11 points (6 goals and 5 assists) in the last three games. “I think he answered that question,” said Stars head coach Peter DeBoer. Rantanen’s resurgence was crucial, especially in a series where the Stars were often outplayed by the Avalanche.
The turning point came when Rantanen scored his first goal of the night, igniting the Stars' comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the third period. His powerful wrist shot that beat Avalanche goalie MacKenzie Blackwood set the tone for the rest of the game. Stars veteran Matt Duchene captured the moment perfectly, saying, “He just said, ‘F–k this’ on that first goal. After that, you could feel something was coming. He stepped up big time.” Rantanen’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, and it was no coincidence that the series was dubbed the "Mikko Rantanen Bowl."
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger praised Rantanen’s effort, stating, “You can’t write it up any better than that. Guy comes over, knocks out his old team, puts the team on his back. One of the best individual performances I’ve seen in the playoffs in my life. So happy for him.” Rantanen’s explosive play was evident, as he scored another goal with a remarkable wraparound effort and assisted on Wyatt Johnston's game-winner on a power play. He capped off his night with an empty-net goal, completing his hat trick and showering the ice with hats from jubilant fans.
After the game, the handshake line was filled with emotion. Rantanen embraced familiar faces like Gabriel Landeskog and MacKinnon, reflecting on their shared history. “It’s emotional. They’re my brothers for sure,” he expressed. “Most of them I know really well and played with them for 10 years. It’s emotional for sure because everything happened so quick.” The intensity of competing against former teammates added another layer to this already dramatic playoff series.
As the Colorado Avalanche faced disappointment in the dressing room, they acknowledged Rantanen's impact. Cale Makar, an Avalanche superstar, stated, “Credit to him. Obviously, he’s their guy. He took over.” Even MacKinnon, who scored a playoff-leading seventh goal during the game, acknowledged Rantanen’s significant contributions: “Mikko, credit to him, he made some amazing plays. He was a difference maker.”
Looking ahead, the Dallas Stars are poised for a significant playoff run, especially with the potential return of key players like Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. Stars GM Nill emphasized the team’s resilience: “They’ve done it all year this season, they’ve done it for the last two to three years. We got a great room. They just dig in.” Duchene added, “Jim’s done an unbelievable job making this team deep enough where we can kind of afford to have injuries like that and still be great.”
As the playoffs continue, Rantanen sees similarities between his current team and the championship squad he played with in 2022. “I think it was a really deep team when we won,” he noted. “Whenever we get [Heiskanen and Robertson] back, it’s going to help and give us even more depth.” With the Stars now feeling healthy and confident, fans are eager to see how far this resilient team can go in the playoffs.
In conclusion, Mikko Rantanen's stellar performance in Game 7 was a testament to his talent and determination. As he expressed, “I’m just happy to be on the winning side and move on here.” With a promising journey ahead, the Dallas Stars are ready to make a significant impact in the NHL playoffs.
