The Dallas Stars are moving on in the NHL playoffs, after a thrilling comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen notched a hat trick as the Stars motored to a 4-2 win behind four third-period goals, giving the first Game 7 of the playoffs some extra bite.
After a 0-0 stalemate throughout the first period, Colorado struck first, with Josh Manson scoring a short-handed goal halfway through the period. Nathan McKinnon doubled the Avalanche’s lead with another goal to open the third period.
But that’s when Rantanen woke up, scoring to keep Dallas in the running.
IT’S NOT OVER YET‼️
The @DallasStars needed a goal in #Game7, and Mikko Rantanen delivers! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctFpic.twitter.com/GRk1qa3ATO— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2025
Rantanen struck again six minutes later, hitting a power play goal to tie things up at 2-2. Less than three minutes later, center Wyatt Johnson hit another power play goal to give Dallas the lead.
MIKKO RANTANEN IS TAKING OVER 🌟
His second goal of the third period ties #Game7 up 2-2! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctFpic.twitter.com/Kp1c3k8FMT— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2025
DALLAS HAS THE LEAD IN #GAME7 😱 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctFpic.twitter.com/CA10ac2mps— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2025
An empty net goal from Rantanen in the final seconds sealed the deal — on the hat trick, the game, and the series. Hats went flying onto the ice from the Dallas home crowd.
MIKKO RANTANEN HAT TRICK!! 🎩🎩🎩 #StanleyCup#Game7pic.twitter.com/oWrUr2Mgom
— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2025
With the win, the Stars will now face the winner of the St. Louis Blue and the Winnipeg Jets, who face off Sunday in another Game 7 — one that is hopefully just as thrilling.
The Dallas Stars are moving on in the NHL playoffs, after a thrilling comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen notched a hat trick as the Stars motored to a 4-2 win behind four third-period goals, giving the first Game 7 of the playoffs some extra bite.
After a 0-0 stalemate throughout the first period, Colorado struck first, with Josh Manson scoring a short-handed goal halfway through the period. Nathan McKinnon doubled the Avalanche’s lead with another goal to open the third period.
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But that’s when Rantanen woke up, scoring to keep Dallas in the running.
