Mikko Rantanen's extraordinary performance in Game 7, as a Colorado Avalanche forward, provokes NSFW response from former teammate Matt Duchene.
Dallas Stars were on the verge of defeat in Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche, trailing 2-0 in the third period. But star winger Mikko Rantanen turned the tide like a seasoned sea captain navigating treacherous waters.
He lit up the scoreboard with a pair of goals, the latter on the power play, tying the game at 2-2 with six minutes left on the clock. Wyatt Johnston gave the Stars the lead on another power play, and Rantanen sealed the deal with an empty-netter in the final seconds, completing his third-period hat trick in a 4-2 victory.
Mikko Rantanen had a slow start in this series, but he found his groove in the final three games. Post-win, Stars center Matt Duchene shared his raw thoughts on Rantanen's heroics, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. "He just said, 'F-k this' on that first goal," Duchene said. "And after that, you could feel something was coming. You could just feel it. He stepped up last few games big time. It was great."
The injury updates for Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen after Game 7 victory are still unknown. Peter DeBoer and the Stars should be getting both Robertson and Heiskanen back at some point, as they set their sights on the next round against the winner of Game 7 between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues.
The Avs will be left to ponder the cost of Rantanen's trade this season amid a contract dispute. The star scorer ended up on a division rival in Dallas and is ultimately responsible for the Avalanche's premature exit in the first round. This stunning turn of events will be a bitter pill for the Avalanche to swallow after facing off against two Stanley Cup contenders in the Stars.
Rantanen's performance in Game 7 was nothing short of legendary. He scored three goals and added an assist in the third period, marking a historic moment as the first player to record a hat trick in the third period of a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs[2][3]. While Duchene may have shared his thoughts privately, the external reactions to Rantanen's performance have been nothing short of praises, calling it a testament to his professionalism and skill[4][5].
References:[1] https://theathletic.com/3062231/2023/05/06/dallas-stars-denver-colorado-avalanche-game-7-mikko-rantanen-hat-trick/[2] https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34988571/dallas-stars-move-on-colorado-avalanche-mikko-rantanen-hat-trick-evades-elimination[3] https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/stars-eliminate-avalanche-win-game-7-384175636[4] https://dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-stars/2023/05/06/mikko-rantanen-hats-off-to-ex-avalanche-team-mate-after-game-7-heroics/[5] https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2391676
In the thrilling Game 7, Mikko Rantanen's remarkable performance propelled the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 victory, sealing the deal with a third-period hat trick and four points in the playoffs. His timely goals and assist resonated beyond the locker room, earning widespread praise as a testament to his professionalism and skill.
Despite the bitter exit in the first round, the Colorado Avalanche must grapple with the repercussions of Rantanen's trade this season, as he was ultimately responsible for their premature playoff departure.
