Rantanen makes history with game 7 hat trick against old team

Mikko Rantanen etched his name into NHL history with a stunning third-period hat trick. It propelled the Dallas Stars to a 4–2 comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

The Avalanche led 2–0 heading into the final period, with goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Josh Manson. But Rantanen turned the game on its head. He scored his first goal midway through the third, cutting the lead to 2–1. Minutes later, he tied the game with a wrist shot from the slot. Soon after, he assisted Wyatt Johnston’s go-ahead goal on a power play. Rantanen completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

This marks the first Game 7 hat trick in NHL history. It also came against his former team—Rantanen was traded from Colorado to Carolina earlier this year, then to Dallas at the trade deadline. The Finnish forward has become a key piece of the Stars’ playoff push. His performance left his former Avalanche teammates stunned. “I’m in shock, to be honest,” MacKinnon admitted after the game.


Goaltender Jake Oettinger made 25 saves for Dallas and remains undefeated in Game 7 appearances, improving to a perfect 9–0. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer also extended his Game 7 win streak to 10–0.

The Stars now advance to the second round, where they’ll face the winner of the Winnipeg Jets–St. Louis. Blues series. With Rantanen hitting peak form and reinforcements like Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen expected to return, Dallas looks well-positioned for a deep playoff run.