Dallas and the Colorado Avalanche face off in Game 7 of their Western Conference playoff series Saturday, highlighting the matchup between former teammates. The game in Dallas features Mikko Rantanen playing against the Avalanche, an organization where he spent nearly a decade.
Rantanen, now a member of the Dallas Starsin pelaajana, recorded four points in Game 6, a 7-4 loss for Dallas. He has totaled seven points over the last two contests. Despite his offensive output, the series is tied 3-3 heading into the deciding contest.
During Game 6 in Denver, Colorado fans booed Rantanen each time he touched the puck. This reception follows a different one earlier in the series when the Avalanche showed a tribute video for Rantanen, earning him a standing ovation from the crowd.
Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche captain and Rantanen's friend, commented on the fans' reaction. Landeskog said being booed suggests a player has performed well. Landeskog returned to play in Game 3 of the series after recovering from a severe knee injury.
Another former teammate, Artturi Lehkonen, a forward for Colorado, acknowledged the unusual situation of playing a close friend in the playoffs. Lehkonen said they exchanged greetings early in the series but little else.
Rantanen played for the Colorado Avalanche organization for nearly ten years, scoring regularly and winning the Stanley Cup. He was traded to Carolina in January, then to Dallas at the trade deadline. Discussions for a contract extension with Colorado did not result in an agreement.
The Dallas Stars acquired Rantanen knowing his capability. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger called Rantanen one of the world's top players and expressed satisfaction that Rantanen now wears the team's colors.
Stars coach Pete DeBoer noted the importance of Rantanen and fellow Finnish players Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund, who have formed the team's top line. He said this line needs to be productive, similar to how Nathan MacKinnon's line operates for Colorado. Suomalaisten hurja tehoilu ei auttanut, Dallas ja Colorado seiskapeliin in Game 6 saw the Dallas Finnish line combine for nine points.
Pete DeBoer has a history of winning Game 7 matchups, having won all eight he has coached. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has lost all three of his Game 7 appearances in the NHL playoffs. DeBoer downplayed the coaches' impact, stating the game outcome depends on the players' performance.
Dallas enters Game 7 without forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen due to injuries. DeBoer confirmed neither player would compete. He stated the team must succeed as a unit, overcoming the absence of players like Heiskanen and Robertson. Läntisen konferenssin nimivahvojen joukkueiden mittelössä, both teams have traded victories, leading to the final game.
Dallas forward Joel Kiviranta also has history with Colorado in a Game 7, having scored a hat trick including the overtime winner against them in 2020.
Lehkonen has a track record of scoring in the playoffs, including seven winning goals in his NHL career.
"Pudotuspelit ovat niin hauskaa," Bednar said. "Tässä tulee suurimpia iloja ja pahimpia synkkyyksiä."
