
Trading right winger Mikko Rantanen continues to make the Colorado Avalanche look foolish.
Colorado dealt Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 24 because of a contract dispute. On March 7, Carolina shipped the one-time All-Star to the Dallas Stars, who signed him to an eight-year, $96M extension.
In Game 7 of Dallas’ first-round series against Colorado on Saturday, the 28-year-old had a hat trick in the third period, helping Dallas pull off a 4-2 comeback win. He stayed hot in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets on the road on Wednesday night.
Rantanen scored three goals in the second period against the Jets, helping the Stars race to a 3-2 lead and eventual victory. According to the NHL’s X account, he is the first player in Stanley Cup playoff history to have consecutive games with a hat trick.