If the Colorado Avalanche didn’t already have regrets about trading Mikko Rantanen away this season, they most certainly do now. Not only because the team he ended up on — the Dallas Stars — eliminated them in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but because he played a central role in the decisive Game 7.
Rantanen recorded a hat trick in the Stars’ 4-2 win, leading a stunning third-period comeback that saw them erase a two-goal deficit.
The Avalanche jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the third period and seemed to be in control of the game and set to advance, while also getting the last laugh on their former teammate.
That was when Rantanen took over, scoring two quick goals mid-way through the period to tie the game.
That set the stage for Wyatt Johnson’s game-winning goal with two minutes to play.
Rantanen completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal to put the game away.
