Mikko Rantanen delivered a sensational third-period performance against his former team, leading the Dallas Stars to a dramatic 4-2 comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday night.
Trailing 2-0 early in the third period, Rantanen sparked the Stars' rally with a goal at the 7:49 mark, tied the game on a power play with 6:14 remaining, and capped off his first career playoff hat trick with an empty-netter in the final seconds. He also assisted on Wyatt Johnston’s go-ahead power-play goal with just under four minutes left, finishing the night with four points—matching his four-point third period from Game 6.
Rantanen became just the second player in NHL history to record four points in the third period of a Game 7.
“He just decided we weren’t going home,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “What you witnessed there was special.”
The Finnish forward, who spent seven seasons with Colorado and was part of their 2022 Stanley Cup championship, was traded twice this season—including a deadline deal to Dallas that came with an eight-year, $96 million extension. Rantanen finished the series with five goals and seven assists, exacting revenge on his original team.
“A difficult year personally… it’s emotional,” Rantanen admitted after the win. “Those guys are my brothers. But on the ice, we were enemies.”
Dallas advances to the second round and will face either the Winnipeg Jets or St. Louis Blues, who square off in their own Game 7 on Sunday. If the Jets advance, they’ll hold home-ice advantage; otherwise, the Stars will host the Blues.
The Avalanche had jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Josh Manson (shorthanded) and Nathan MacKinnon, who scored his first goal in five career Game 7 appearances. Despite the strong start, Colorado couldn’t hold back Dallas’ late surge.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger was solid again in a Game 7, making 24 saves to improve to 3-1 in such games. Meanwhile, Stars coach Pete DeBoer improved to a perfect 9-0 in Game 7s, setting a new NHL record for most Game 7 wins by a coach or player.
The loss marks the Avalanche’s seventh consecutive Game 7 defeat dating back to 2002, the longest such streak across the NHL, NBA, or MLB, according to OptaSTATS.
“You put your heart and soul into it and then it slips away,” said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. “It’s tough because I know how bad these guys wanted it.”
Dallas has now won all four Game 7 matchups against Colorado, with each previous victory propelling the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final (1999, 2000, and 2020).
