Mikko Rantanens third-period hat trick against ex-team powers Stars to thrilling Game 7 comeback

DALLAS — Mikko Rantanen assisted on Wyatt Johnston’s tiebreaking power-play goal with 3:56 left before completing a third-period hat trick with an empty-netter as the Dallas Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in Game 7 on Saturday night to wrap up the first-round Western Conference playoff series.Rantanen, who was in the playoffs with Avalanche the past seven seasons and part of their 2022 Stanley Cup title, had his second four-point period in the series.He is only the second player in NHL history to have four points in the third period of a Game 7.The Stars move on to the second round to face top-seeded Winnipeg or St.

Louis, who play their own Game 7 on Sunday night.The Jets would have home ice if they advance, while Dallas would start at home if facing the Blues.Colorado had taken a 2-0 lead when Nathan MacKinnon made a short snap shot only 31 seconds into the third period.

It was the first goal he has scored in five Game 7s, but all of those are losses.Traded twice in a six-week period earlier this season, Rantanen scored five goals in the series against his former team.Rantanen got Dallas’ first goal with 12:11 left on a shot from above the middle of circles.He tied the game at 2 with 6:14 left went he skated behind the net and took a wraparound shot that ricocheted off the skate of Avs defenseman Samuel Girard.

Rantanen then sealed the win with an empty-netter with 3 seconds remaining....