Former Colorado Avalanche star is the player the Oilers will need to look out for in the Western Final
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Dallas Stars are set to face the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final for the second consecutive year.
Mikko Rantanen leads all players in the postseason with 19 points through 13 games, helping propel the Dallas Stars into a Western Conference Final rematch with the Edmonton Oilers, a series they're hoping to flip in their favour this time around.
Former Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen is the player the Oilers will need to contain in their Western Final tilt with the Stars.
Rantanen adds a fresh dynamic to this best-of-seven series, having been acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7, says Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
«Adding Rantanen helps, he's played really well. Their power play seems to be really clicking. It's going to be tough, but we're excited for the challenge as we always are.» -McDavid
Rantanen began the season on a line with Nathan MacKinnon for the Colorado Avalanche but was dealt to Carolina on January 24 in a three-team trade that also included the Chicago Blackhawks. He was in the final year of a six-year deal with Colorado at the time.
However, he was traded again ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, this time to the Dallas Stars, where he quickly inked an eight-year, $96 million contract extension that kicks in next season. Rantanen recorded 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 20 regular-season games with Dallas, writes Derek Van Diest from NHL.com.
"He came back to haunt his former team in the first round, scoring a hat trick in the third period of Game 7, a 4-2 win against the Avalanche. Rantanen had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in the series." -Van Diest
Rantanen is already emerging as a top contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, but he's far from Dallas's only weapon. Jason Robertson paced the Stars with 35 goals and was one of seven forwards to hit the 20-goal mark. Rantanen ended the regular season with 32 goals, 25 of which came while he was still with Colorado.
Finding a way to contain Rantanen will be the key if the Oilers want to beat the Stars in back-to-back seasons.
Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday at American Airlines Center. Puck drop is set for 6:00pm MT.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 21 | 24 ANSWERS Former Colorado Avalanche star is the player the Oilers will need to look out for in the Western Final Will Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars find a way to beat the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final this season? | ||
| yes | 15 | 62.5 % |
| no | 9 | 37.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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