The Dallas Stars are looking more and more like Stanley Cup favorites, and Mikko Rantanen is making a serious case for playoff MVP. Both trends continued Sunday as the Stars grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets with a convincing 5-2 win.
Rantanen was absolutely on fire, putting up a goal and two assists in the victory.
His playoff numbers are getting ridiculous: 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points in just 10 games. But here’s the really crazy part – 17 of those points have come in his last 6 games alone.
Want to know how dominant he’s been? Rantanen has either scored or assisted on 15 of the Stars’ last 17 goals. Overall, he’s had a hand in 18 of their 29 playoff goals.
It’s been quite a journey to get here. Before landing in Dallas, Rantanen bounced around like a pinball this season. He started with Colorado, got traded to Carolina, and finally ended up with the Stars just before the trade deadline.
The Avalanche moved him because they were worried about losing him for nothing in free agency. Carolina took a shot at signing him but couldn’t get it done. Dallas? They not only traded for him – they locked him up with a new contract.
That decision is looking pretty smart right now.
Just ask Colorado. Rantanen came back to haunt his old team in the first round, putting up 11 points in the final three games. He saved his best for last, scoring a hat trick in the third period of Game 7 to help Dallas complete an incredible comeback.
Some people wondered if Rantanen could produce without superstar Nathan MacKinnon as his center in Colorado. Those doubts are getting quieter by the day.
The scariest part? The Stars aren’t even at full strength. Their top defenseman Miro Heiskanen hasn’t played a single playoff game, and they just got Jason Robertson back in this round.
Dallas is now just two wins away from their third straight Western Conference Finals appearance. And with Rantanen playing like this, they might not stop there.
