Dallas Stars' last hope: Can the former Colorado Avalanche outshine McDavid and Draisaitl?
Photo credit: (JASON FRANSON / AP)
Being down 2-1 in a best-of-seven series isn't a disaster, but Monday marked the first time in five weeks that the Dallas Stars have trailed in a series.
The last time it happened was when the Colorado Avalanche held a 1-0 lead at the very beginning of these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Dallas Stars' last hope: Mikko Rantanen will need to outshine Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to have success against the Oilers.
Tim Cowlishaw from The Dallas Morning News writes that Monday also marked the first time in three weeks that Mikko Rantanen wasn't leading the playoff in scoring. With two goals on Sunday, including a crushing tally in the final 20 seconds of the second period, Connor McDavid, widely regarded as the league's best player, has finally taken over the top spot on the scoring leaderboard.
"In 14 games, he has 22 points while teammate Leon Draisaitl has 21. In 16 games, Rantanen also has 21 but has been limited to two assists in this series and just three assists in Dallas' last six games." -Cowlishaw
In the Western Conference Final, Rantanen has spent more time chasing the play than driving it. Dallas needs a quick start Tuesday night just as badly as it needs Rantanen to rediscover his elite form, though his impact may once again be limited without Roope Hintz in the lineup.
The Stars aren't a one-man show, but they're clearly outgunned in this series, facing a team that looks superior despite what the regular-season standings say. Meanwhile, Draisaitl has elevated his game at just the right time.
"Rantanen, who had five big goals against Colorado and four more against Winnipeg, needs to get on the board Tuesday before Stars fans start dissecting where another conference finals trip went all wrong." -Cowlishaw
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night at 6:00pm MT in Edmonton.
Source:
The Dallas Morning News
Mikko Rantanen to the rescue? Stars need him to match McDavid, Draisaitl to top Oilers
The Dallas Morning News
Mikko Rantanen to the rescue? Stars need him to match McDavid, Draisaitl to top Oilers
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 27 | 16 ANSWERS Dallas Stars' last hope: Can the former Colorado Avalanche outshine McDavid and Draisaitl? Will Mikko Rantanen score in Game 4 on Wednesday against the Oilers? | ||
| yes | 4 | 25 % |
| no | 12 | 75 % |
| List of polls | ||
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