Mikko Rantanen Continues To Make History
The Dallas Stars had been to back to back Western Conference Finals in 2023 and 2024, but could not get over the hump. Stars General Jim Nill knew he needed a game-breaker to get this group even further. That is why he had no hesitation in acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes at this year's trade deadline.
The Stars acquired Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks—two of which were top-10 protected, with one being a conditional first-round pick and two third-round picks. While it was expensive to give up on a young player like Stankoven, Nill knew you don't have a player like Rantanen every day.
These general managers are not in the hockey business; they are in the winning business. So it made sense for the Dallas Stars, who wanted to win another Stanley Cup, to add a playoff performer like Rantanen. And boy, that moniker perfectly sums up what he is doing during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
To quote the great SportsCenter anchors Dan Patrick and Stuart Scott, Rantanen is "En Fuego" and "He is as cool as the other side of the pillow." Those are perfect ways to describe the performances Rantanen has put together in back-to-back games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Stars.
Rantanen has recorded back-to-back hat tricks in two of his last four periods. He had a hat trick in Game 7 of the third period in the first round against his former Colorado Avalanche club. Remember, the Avalanche traded Rantanen to the Hurricanes because they did not want to pay him. But the way he delivered in the playoffs for them made them wish he were on their side this year in the playoffs.
It was a magical performance by Rantanen, who recorded 11 points in the series' final three games against Colorado, including back-to-back four-point periods. What does he do for an encore in Game 1 in Round 2 against the Winnipeg Jets? He records a natural hat trick in the second period as the Stars won Game 1 by a score of 3-2.
MIKKO RANTANEN CAN'T BE STOPPED RIGHT NOW ?
He's got a hatty in back-to-back games and eight goals in his last four contests! #StanleyCup
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/pEDGKqAcUe
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2025
Mikko Rantanen is the first player in nearly 40 years to record a hat trick in consecutive playoff games and the third in NHL history. He joins Jari Kurri (Games 5 and 6 of the 1985 Conference Final) and Doug Bentley (Games 4 and 5 of the 1944 Stanley Cup Final).
Around Full Press Hockey
Montreal Canadiens: Montreal Canadiens Sticking to the Plan Under Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes
NHL: Steve Mayer: "NHL Wants To Keep Four Nations Momentum Going"
New York Rangers: Was Mike Sullivan The Right Choice for the New York Rangers?
NHL: Steve Mayer: "2025 NHL Draft Will Be Unique with a Surprise or 30"
PODCAST: Do the Seattle Kraken Have a Clue on How to Run a Team?
WANT MORE PODCASTS? Montreal Sticking to the Plan as Vancouver and New York in Turmoil
In addition, per NHLPR, Rantanen became the first player in League history with multiple three-goal periods during the same postseason and the fourth with two at any point in his career, following Wayne Gretzky (3x), Maurice Richard (3x) and Tim Kerr (2x).
Rantanen has 14 points over his last four games (10 periods), leading the Stanley Cup Playoffs in scoring with 15 points and goals with eight. He has contributed to each of his team’s last 12 goals dating to Game 5 of Round 1, marking the longest streak in Stanley Cup Playoffs history. Rantanen entered play tied with Mario Lemieux, who had a point on nine straight playoff goals more than 33 years ago (Game 2-4 of 1992 DSF).
When a player like Rantanen gets in the zone, everything he touches seems to go into the net. There is a reason his nickname is the Moose. Rantanen is on another level. Following Game 1, he did not have words to describe his current hot streak and if he could recall a streak like this before.
"I don't think so. No, no, it's been, it's been good last couple games," Rantanen told Scott Oake of Sportsnet. "And obviously, have to thank the linemates. Teammates are making great plays around me and finding me in the net front or wherever it is. And try to, try to keep it going."
If you look at his playoff numbers, there is a reason why he continues to deliver.
In 89 playoff games, Rantanen has 116 points (42 goals and 74 assists). He won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 and finished with 25 points, second behind the Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cale Makar's 29 points. For his career in the playoffs, he is averaging 1.33 points per game. In the playoffs this season, he is averaging 1.88 points per game.
There is a reason why Rantanen was a perfect fit for the Dallas Stars. The style of play made sense, as Pete DeBoer and the Stars like to play a rush game. However, Rantanen likes to set up in the high slot and use his big frame, letting his wingers dictate play. As we have seen recently, Mikko Rantanen can also take over games with his speed.
It does not matter who he plays with. He could be on his regular line with Mikael Granlund and Roope Hintz or double-shifted and play on the fourth line with Sam Steel and Evgenii Dadonov. It does not matter because he is driving the line and making his teammates better.
Rantanen knew the Stars were good, but he did not think they were this good, and the fit has been better than expected.
"I don't know, I knew it was a really good team and they've been in the playoffs multiple times, a lot of experience, but I don't know, maybe not this, what I expected, but we'll take it and hopefully keep it going," Rantanen continued post-game.
This match is made in heaven for the Dallas Stars, as everything Mikko Rantanen touches goes in the net.
Update: After his point streak ended in Game 2 of Round 2 against the Winnipeg Jets, Mikko Rantanen recorded three more points (one goal and two assists) in a Stars 5-2 victory. Rantanen has recorded a goal or an assist in 15 of the last 17 goals Dallas has scored. He is up to 18 points in the playoffs (nine goals and nine assists).
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Launched in April and we are posting weekly podcasts, hot takes, and rumors from around the NHL. Come along for the ride.