Back in February, nobody ever thought the city of Dallas could recover from losing a bona fide superstar like Luka Dončić. Little did they know one month later another star would arrive.
Now it did take a bit to reap the fruits of that trade as Mikko Rantanen became acclimated, but what we’ve seen this postseason is every single reason why Jim Nill made that trade in March. Rantanen has unquestionably put the Stars on his back the past couple of games, leading the team to two huge wins: one that allowed them to advance to the second round, and another that allowed the Stars to take home ice away from the Winnipeg Jets.
Per Dallas Morning News reporter Lia Assimakopoulos:
“Rantanen became just the third player in NHL history to record hat tricks in back-to-back playoff games and the first in 40 years. He became the first player in Stanley Cup Playoff history with multiple three-goal periods in the same postseason and the fourth to do so at any point in their career, joining Wayne Gretzky, Maurice Richard and Tim Kerr.”
While Rantanen’s play has allowed him to gain the adoration of the city of Dallas, it has also allowed him to gain some attention for the Conn Smythe Trophy which is awarded to the MVP of the postseason. Per Assimakopoulos:
“He has now scored or assisted on the Stars’ last 12 goals, dating back to Game 5 of the last round. That is an NHL playoff record, passing the previous streak of nine goals.
He leads the NHL in postseason points with 15 (eight goals and seven assists).”
Mind-blowing.
Despite the flak Rantanen has received this season for a multitude of different reasons, it’s fair to say he has thrown water on any criticism directed at him. You can read more about it in Lia’s article here.
Stars Stuff
I still can’t believe what we are witnessing….
These stats don't even look real 🤯 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/xmwKjv5K7P
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2025
Rantanen playing on historic levels:
Mikko Rantanen is the first player in #StanleyCup Playoffs history with multiple three-goal periods in the same postseason.
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2025
All we can say is wow. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bIsMXfa9Bo
Yeeeeehaw!
CAN WE GET A YEEEEEEEEHAW?!#StanleyCup x #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/u6wpa64kRJ
— X – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 8, 2025
Who wants to Blackout this Saturday?!
✨GLOW in the dark with us!✨
— Children's Health StarCenter (@StarCenters) May 7, 2025
Join us for a Blackout Playoff Public Skate to celebrate the @DallasStars!
Skate Inclusion⛸️
– Raffle to win TWO Game 4 tickets
– Special appearance from @VictorEGreen
– Glow sticks and more!#TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/7CZM5VU1Kj
Quest for the Cup
Stars have the night off, but the Capitals and Hurricanes take the ice again tonight, followed by the Oilers and Golden Knights. Can the Capitals even the series and the Oilers win another on the road?
Dylan Strome and the @Capitals aim to avenge their overtime loss in Game 1, while Jaccob Slavin looks to continue his offensive output for the @Canes.
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) May 8, 2025
🕖: 7 p.m. ET
📺: @espn, @Sportsnet, @TVASports. pic.twitter.com/fDxyhD15Py
⚔️ ROUND II \V/ GAME II ⚔️
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 8, 2025
📺: ESPN
📻: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
📰: https://t.co/BZluAP8XEN pic.twitter.com/VzRNAKKGP6
Finally
Be sure to check this out!
"I don't believe there's another group in the league that would be still be alive here other than this one."
— X – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 7, 2025
The story of the Stars' First Round, Open Ice: Built for This is now on @victoryplustv.
🎥 https://t.co/VTp9D8KD4r@PNCbank | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/14O4oIYbOD
