Breaking: Mikko Rantanen Scores Unprecedented Hat Trick in Game 7, knocked out former team Colorado Avalanche from playoffs after dramatic comeback!
Rantanen’s Spectacular Game 7 Hat Trick sends Avalanche Home; Stars Move On in Western Conference Showdown
Mikko Rantanen, once an Avalanche mainstay, scripted an unlikely fairy tale against his former team, notching a playoff-clinching hat trick in the **Dallas Stars’ Game 7 victory** over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. The Finnish forward, traded twice in just six weeks, shattered records and silenced doubters with an **unforgettable third-period performance**.
Traded, but Not Forgotten
Rantanen played a pivotal role in Colorado’s playoff runs and 2022 Stanley Cup triumph. Yet, midseason trades sent him packing first to the Carolina Hurricanes, then to Dallas. Little did anyone expect that the **recently minted Star** would stamp his authority on the highly contested first-round series.
Hat Trick Heroics
Rantanen’s **remarkable hat trick** – the **only one scored solely in the final period of a Game 7** – propelled the Stars past the Avalanche. Four points in the third period of a Game 7? Only Rantanen and Wayne Gretzky have achieved that feat. **Coach Pete DeBoer** hailed Rantanen’s resolve, “We had a motivated guy…
who just got better and better.”
“It’s emotional for sure. … All of a sudden, a couple of months later, playing against them in a Game 7.” – Mikko Rantanen “I don’t know revenge. I’m just happy to win as a team in the playoffs. It doesn’t matter who it is.”
Rantanen’s Impact: By the Numbers
In just seven games against his former team, Rantanen contributed five goals and seven assists. His five-game point streak ties for the **second-longest in Stars’ playoff history**. In 81 career playoff games with the Avalanche, Rantanen amassed 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists).
Rantanen’s **34 playoff goals** put him second among active players behind only Alexander Ovechkin.
Looking Ahead
Rantanen’s phenomenal postseason run has raised eyebrows. What lies ahead for the goal-scoring powerhouse?
Trades can disrupt momentum, but Rantanen’s resurgence proves players can thrive on new teams. It’s an encouraging sign for the many stars on the trade block this offseason.
FAQ
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Has anyone else scored a hat trick in a Game 7 previously?
Yes, **Mario Lemieux (1991) and Glenn Anderson (1993)** achieved this feat.
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Why did Colorado trade Rantanen?
Colorado general manager Joe Sakic cited **cap constraints** as the primary reason.
**Stay tuned to 247Sports for updates on Rantanen and other post-trade success stories** as we delve into the analytics and trends shaping this year’s NHL playoffs!
Sound off in the comments: How high is Mikko Rantanen’s stock after his Game 7 heroics? Then, explore more NHL news and analysis on 247Sports.