DALLAS Triumphs Over Colorado with Rantanen’s Record-Breaking Performance

Mikko Rantanen shone brightly on Saturday night, leading his team with a hat trick and an assist as the Dallas Stars staged an electrifying comeback with four goals in the third period. This miraculous 4-2 victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round against the Colorado Avalanche took place at the American Airlines Center.

Rantanen made history by becoming the first NHL player to achieve a hat trick in the third period of a Game 7. Additionally, he earned the distinction of being the only player to have multiple four-point periods in a single postseason, echoing his stellar Game 6 with another performance.

“I anticipated a seven-game series from the onset,” Rantanen remarked. “We faced many ups and downs, and there were games where we simply didn’t perform. Tonight, too, was off to a slow start. We surrendered a goal during our power play and conceded immediately at the start of the third, which really dampened spirits.

“Yet, our belief never wavered,” he continued. “Once I put us on the scoreboard, the crowd’s energy escalated, and we capitalized on more opportunities. The fans were a tremendous support at the end.”

Dallas is set to face either the Winnipeg Jets or the St. Louis Blues in the next round. The deciding Game 7 of that series is scheduled for Sunday.

Stars coach Pete DeBoer shared, “Despite being down 2-0 and struggling to find our rhythm, I was always confident. There’s a unique camaraderie in our team that drives them to continuously defy the odds, and Rantanen delivered a monumental performance.”

With this win, DeBoer extends his undefeated streak in Game 7s to 9-0, holding the record for the most wins by any NHL coach in such games.

Wyatt Johnston sealed the game’s fate at 16:04 of the third period, propelling the Stars to victory. Dallas, the Central Division’s No. 2 seed, also saw contributions from Matt Duchene with two assists and Jake Oettinger, who made 25 saves.

“Rantanen’s contributions were script-worthy,” Oettinger noted. “He returned to face his former team and carried us to victory. It’s one of the most outstanding playoff performances I’ve ever witnessed.”

For the Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon and Josh Manson found the net, representing the No. 3 seed from the Central, with Mackenzie Blackwood blocking 15 shots.

“We felt in complete control until Mikko changed the game,” MacKinnon admitted. “Losing despite facing a depleted Dallas team left us at a loss for words.”

Rantanen trimmed the lead to 2-1 with a powerful shot that found the net’s top corner.

“Words escape me,” Cale Makar expressed. “We played well five-on-five, yet a series of unfortunate circumstances cost us.”

The equalizer came when Rantanen’s attempt banked off Colorado’s Samuel Girard’s skate. Johnston then secured a 3-2 lead with a powerful play-assisted shot from Duchene, and Rantanen secured his hat trick with a last-moment empty-netter.

“Turning the game around within the last quarter was unbelievable,” Johnston reflected. “The crowd’s enthusiasm was overwhelming, and we hope to deliver more memorable performances.”

Manson had started the scoring with a short-handed goal midway through the second period, capitalized on a chaotic play.

“We aimed to bring our best hockey but sometimes couldn’t,” Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “Reflecting on a playoff exit, we felt deserving of a better outcome after a tough-fought series.”

MacKinnon extended the lead shortly into the third with a quick strike, capitalizing on a delayed penalty.

“The season slipping away after substantial effort is disappointing,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar commented. “The determination from our team was evident, but the outcome didn’t reflect our efforts.”

NOTES: Johnston set an NHL record with consecutive series-clinching goals at 22 or younger. Rantanen also became the first to log four points in a period in two successive games. DeBoer remains unmatched in rallying teams from adversity in third-period deficits during Game 7s.