Mikko Rantanen Scores Historic Hat Trick in Game 7 Victory

Mikko Rantanen made NHL history by scoring a hat trick in the third period of Game 7, leading the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 comeback victory over his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Rantanen not only tallied three goals but also added an assist in the same period, becoming the first player ever to record four points in a third period of a Game 7. His performance capped a remarkable series in which he posted back-to-back four-point periods in Games 6 and 7, a first in NHL history. The Stars had trailed 2-0 entering the third period, but Rantanen's surge erased the deficit and propelled Dallas into the next round. The achievement was especially poignant as Rantanen had been traded twice earlier in the season, including a move from Colorado. His historic effort has been widely lauded as one of the greatest Game 7 performances in NHL history and left Avalanche fans and teammates stunned.