Nothing captivates hockey fans more than a thrilling Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche almost survived to face each other but the tables turned. Multiple-goal comebacks in the 3rd period from both the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars have these teams intertwined in a Second Round series to determine who represents the Central Division going forward. Heroes are plentiful in Game 7s in both these teams who are set up on a collision course for a good series. Mikko Rantanen is already becoming the legend Stars fans wanted while the Jets stormed out from the jaws of defeat. Miraculous comebacks from both teams turned desperation into another round of playoff hockey. One of these teams is going home in the next 4-7 games while another marches on to the Western Conference Final.
Mikko Becomes the Hero
The clock counted down to midnight until the building erupted in joyous jubilation. Hosting Game 7 is an advantage the Stars capitalized on while trailing 2-0 in the 3rd period of Game 7. Desperation turned to elation as Mikko Rantanen chipped away at the lead before tying it with two goals. Wyatt Johnston scored with less than four minutes left to take the lead on the powerplay. Rantanen scored an empty net goal to seal victory with a hat trick against his former team. Popping off in Games 6 and 7 became the difference maker, recording 4-point periods in back-to-back games. Dispatching his former team with a hat trick is the ultimate finale of the “Rantanen Bowl.” The Stars need his performance to continue into the next round.
History is Made
This Stars and Jets series is the first playoff matchup between the two franchises. Both teams overcame a multi-goal deficit in the 3rd period of Game 7. Only three teams in the previous 106 years won a Game 7 down multiple goals in the 3rd period meaning two in one weekend is uber rare. Mikko Rantanen is the only player in NHL history to record a hat trick in the 3rd period of Game 7. Only nine players recorded a hat trick in a Game 7 and the Stars have two of them. Game 7 is also the first time this entire season the Stars won a game while trailing by multiple goals in the 3rd period. Winnipeg tied their Game 7 with 2 seconds left after being down 3-1 in the final two minutes plus change. That was the latest game-tying Game 7 goal in NHL history so a fitting finish equals the Jets winning in double overtime.
Round Two
Starting on the road is unusual territory for the Stars. Four potential road games means they must win at least one in Winnipeg to win the series and advance to their 3rd consecutive Western Conference Final. The last four teams in the Western Conference are heavyweights. The Jets, Stars, Oilers, and Golden Knights are locked in a battle to see who becomes best in the west. The Stars are facing a certain Vezina Trophy winner in Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck struggled mightily on the road in St. Louis, being pulled in all three games. Jason Robertson is expected to return in Game 1 while Heiskanen may also return in this round. Those two are a massive boost to a thrilling Stars team. Rantanen is the elite forward looking to take on the Jets after a remarkable Game 7 performance.
The Jets are a tough team as the Stars make it to the final eight. Four more wins separate the Stars from a third consecutive Western Conference Final appearance. This weekend of Game 7s is what hockey fans long for. Game 1 is on Wednesday in Winnipeg. The Stars have a day game at the American Airlines Center on Sunday with Game 4 on Tuesday. The Stars host Game 6 on the following Saturday after next if the series goes that far.
Photo Credit: Dallas Stars X
