The Dallas Stars (No. 2 seed) squared off against the Colorado Avalanche (No. 3 seed) in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3.
Before returning to the American Airlines Arena on Saturday night, “We’ve got a great opportunity. Home for Game. 7,” Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer told reporters. “We’ve been in this situation before. No one gave us a chance to win this series, and here we are with one game at home to advance, so that’s a great situation to be in.
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”I’d rather win in six. I like Game 7s at home, I can tell you that. That’s an advantage for us being at home.”
DeBoer, who entered the win-or-go home matchup a perfect 8-0 record in Game 7s, extended that record to 9-0 following the Stars thrilling comeback win over Colorado.
The Avalanche to a 2-0 lead just 31 seconds into the third period. While things looked grim for Dallas, right wing Mikko Rantanen, helped lead the team to a historic win.
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Rantanen, who was traded to the Stars from Hurricanes in March, scored twice during the third period to tie the game before completing a hat trick with an empty net goal. He also assisted on Wyatt Johnston’s game-winning power-play goal.
Dallas is now the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to be trailing by multiple goals in the 3rd period of a Game 7 but win in regulation, OptaSTATS posted.
And that’s not all. Rantanen is the first player in NHL history to have a 4-point period in back-to-back games (regular season or playoffs).
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Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen celebrates against the Colorado Avalanche.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
On the flip side, the Avalanche became the first team in MLB/NBA/NHL history to lose 7 consecutive Game 7s, OptaSTATS posted.
Next up for the Stars, they move on to Round 2 where they will face off against the winner of the St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets Game 7 on Sunday.
Related: Capitals Make Spencer Carbery Announcement Before Round 2 vs. Hurricanes