- Rantanen becomes first NHL player with four third-period points in Game 7
- Scored hat trick against former team months after controversial trade
- $96 million contract extension followed mid-season move to Dallas
- Contributed 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in seven-game series
In an unprecedented NHL playoff performance, Mikko Rantanen rewrote record books while facing the Colorado Avalanche – the franchise that drafted him nearly a decade earlier. The 27-year-old Finnish forward’s third-period explosion propelled the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 comeback victory, marking the first time a player recorded four points in the final frame of a Game 7.
Hockey analysts note this series showcased a growing league trend: traded stars delivering critical playoff performances against former teams. We’re seeing more high-impact players change jerseys mid-season due to cap constraints,said TSN analyst Pierre LeBrun. Rantanen’s performance demonstrates how organizational changes can create powerful motivational drivers.
The Stars’ victory continues Texas’ emergence as a hockey hotbed, with Dallas now advancing past the first round in three of the past five seasons. This contrasts with Colorado’s recent playoff struggles – despite their 2022 Stanley Cup win, the Avalanche have now suffered back-to-back first-round exits.
Rantanen’s $12 million annual contract extension reflects the rising market value for elite power forwards. Comparable deals include Toronto’s Auston Matthews ($13.25M AAV) and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl ($14M AAV), though Rantanen’s eight-year term provides Dallas with long-term cost certainty.
Advanced statistics reveal Rantanen’s clutch performance: 83% of his series points came during high-danger scoring situations. His 22:43 average ice time ranked second among Stars forwards, demonstrating coach Pete DeBoer’s confidence in the recent acquisition.
Colorado faces tough offseason decisions after their early exit. The Avalanche must address defensive vulnerabilities that allowed 31.7 shots against per game during the series – a 14% increase from their regular season average.
