{"id":468079,"date":"2025-05-04T12:48:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T16:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=468079"},"modified":"2025-05-04T12:48:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T16:48:40","slug":"dallas-stars-vs-colorado-avalanche-stanley-cup-playoff-series-has-wild-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/04\/dallas-stars-vs-colorado-avalanche-stanley-cup-playoff-series-has-wild-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Playoff Series Has Wild Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

As many expected when the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs began, the Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche first-round series<\/a> lasted the full seven games. The teams came into this series relatively evenly matched, with a few questions surrounding injured or inexperienced players on both sides. Many expected Colorado to eliminate Dallas. However, the Stars managed to prevail with an incredible third-period comeback on home ice to send the Avs home for the second-straight season.<\/p>\n

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Series Ends with Historic Third Period in Game 7<\/h3>\n

After forcing Game 7 with a Game 6 win in Denver, Colorado on Thursday evening, the Avalanche returned to Dallas with momentum seemingly on its side. In contrast, as the famous saying goes, momentum rarely continues game-to-game. Dallas was still missing two huge parts of its team (forward Jason Robertson<\/a> and defenceman Miro Heiskanen<\/a>), while Colorado was nearly at full strength and appeared rejuvenated after evening the series.<\/p>\n

Special teams once again played a crucial role in Game 7. There were plenty of penalties early, but neither side seemed to break through with the man advantage in the first two periods. However, Colorado defenceman Josh Manson<\/a> scored a shorthanded second-period goal to give the Avs the early lead, while Dallas could not put the puck in the net. Nathan MacKinnon<\/a> gave the Avs a 2-0 cushion early in the third, but they couldn’t close the game.<\/p>\n

Mikko Rantanen With the Ultimate Revenge<\/h3>\n

Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger<\/a> continued a phenomenal series with some key saves when it seemed like Colorado needed just one goal to seal the deal. That allowed the Stars to find their offence, as former Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen<\/a> became the first player in NHL history to record a hat trick in the third period of a Game 7. And he didn’t notch his first until just over 12 minutes remaining. Furthermore, he now leads the NHL with 12 playoff points, with 11 coming in the last three dominating games.<\/p>\n

\n

Mikko Rantanen just rewrote the history books \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n

He\u2019s now the first NHL player ever to:<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd2 Record a third\u2011period hat trick in a Game 7
\ud83c\udfd2 Net a Game 7 hat trick against his former team
\ud83c\udfd2 Have four\u2011point periods in back\u2011to\u2011back games
\ud83c\udfd2 Drop a four\u2011point Game 7 on a former team\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/87Jfobc1zX<\/a><\/p>\n

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n