DALLAS — Mikko Rantanen contributed to Wyatt Johnston’s decisive power-play goal with 3:56 remaining, and later capped off a third-period hat trick with an empty-net goal, leading the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 on Saturday night. This win secured their advancement from the first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Rantanen, having participated in the playoffs with the Avalanche over the past seven seasons and being integral to their 2022 Stanley Cup victory, achieved his second four-point period of the series. Remarkably, he is just the second player in NHL history to record four points in the third period of a Game 7.
With this victory, the Stars advance to the second round to face the winner between top-seeded Winnipeg and St. Louis, who are set to play their Game 7 on Sunday night. If the Jets progress, they would hold home-ice advantage; however, should St. Louis advance, the Stars would begin the series with home-ice advantage.
Colorado had taken a 2-0 lead when Nathan MacKinnon made a short snap shot only 31 seconds into the third period. It was the first goal he has scored in five Game 7s, but all of those are losses.
Traded twice in a six-week period earlier this season, Rantanen scored five goals in the series against his former team.
Rantanen got Dallas’ first goal with 12:11 left on a shot from above the middle of circles. He tied the game at 2 with 6:14 left went he skated behind the net and took a wraparound shot that ricocheted off the skate of Avs defenseman Samuel Girard. Rantanen then sealed the win with an empty-netter with 3 seconds remaining.
