In an unexpected turn of events, Mikko Rantanen achieved what many would have considered improbable at the start of this season — a hat trick in Game 7 against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche. Having spent a significant chunk of his career with the Avalanche, Rantanen made his NHL debut there shortly before turning 19 and played for them for over nine years. During that period, he was an integral part of the team’s success, including their 2022 Stanley Cup triumph.
However, earlier this year, a whirlwind of trades saw Rantanen move teams twice in just six weeks. This series of events culminated in his standout performance for the Dallas Stars against his original team. On a memorable Saturday night, Rantanen assisted Wyatt Johnston’s power-play goal and scored his first career postseason hat trick. Remarkably, all his goals came in the third period, enabling the Stars to overcome a two-goal deficit and secure a 4-2 victory over the Avalanche, wrapping up the first-round Western Conference series.
“It’s emotional for sure because everything happened so quick,” Rantanen admitted. “It’s only a couple of months since I was still with them, playing with them, and chasing a playoff spot. And all of a sudden, a couple of months later, playing against them in a Game 7.”
Rantanen’s performance was historically significant; he joined the elite ranks as only the second NHL player to score four points in the third period of a Game 7. Furthermore, he became the only player with a Game 7 hat trick to net all his goals in the final period. “We also had the benefit of a motivated guy,” remarked Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “This was Colorado, the team he played for a decade. And I don’t know all the behind-the-scenes details, but he was a motivated guy to make an impact in this series. And he just got better and better.”
Originally set to become a free agent post-season, Rantanen was first traded from Colorado to Carolina on January 24. After playing only 13 games with the Hurricanes, he was sent to Dallas in a March 7 deal that included a $96 million, eight-year contract extension. “I don’t know about revenge,” Rantanen confessed. “I’m just happy to win as a team in the playoffs. It doesn’t matter who it is.”
During his tenure with the Avalanche, Rantanen played 81 playoff games, amassing 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists). His last Colorado game was on January 22, yet he ended the regular season third in scoring for them, with 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) across 49 games. In the seven-game showdown against the Avs, Rantanen tallied five goals and seven assists.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar praised Rantanen’s knack for creating crucial opportunities, stating, “What he did in the second period the other night … that’s the thing with Mikko, is it’s not about creating multiple chances every time he touches the puck, but big moments. That’s what he is, he’s a pure goal scorer. He did that in the third.” With Rantanen’s deft play, he effectively sent his former team, the Avalanche, on an early vacation.