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Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Stars' Mikko Rantanen stays hot vs. Jets
The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs continued Wednesday night with two games. Here are some takeaways from the action:
Stars right winger Mikko Rantanen is on fire
Why didn't the Colorado Avalanche keep Rantanen? Colorado traded the right winger to the Carolina Hurricanes in January. Carolina subsequently traded him to the Dallas Stars in March.
Rantanen had a hat trick in a 4-2 win over Colorado in Game 7 in the first round on May 3. On Wednesday night, he had another in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets on the road, scoring three goals in the second period. Per the NHL's X account, he is the first player in Stanley Cup playoff history with multiple three-goal periods in the same postseason.
MIKKO RANTANEN CAN'T BE STOPPED RIGHT NOW
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2025
He's got a hatty in back-to-back games and eight goals in his last four contests! #StanleyCup
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/pEDGKqAcUe
Following the 3-2 win over Winnipeg, Rantanen now has eight goals in eight postseason games.
The 28-year-old continuing to carry the Stars is key for their Stanley Cup hopes, especially with left winger Jason Robertson still getting back to speed. The left winger returned from a knee injury on Wednesday but had only one shot.
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck still can't overcome his postseason woes
On Tuesday, Hellebuyck told the media he was excited for a "restart" against Dallas after he struggled in Winnipeg's first-round series against the St. Louis Blues. In seven games in that series, he allowed 26 goals.
However, his woes vs. the Blues carried over into Game 1 against the Stars. He allowed three goals and posted a below-average .875 save percentage.
It's unclear why the two-time Vezina winner is faltering in the playoffs. During the regular season, he finished with the NHL's second-highest save percentage (.925 in 63 games).
Regardless, he must rebound, or the Jets could be in store for another early playoff exit. Winnipeg hasn't made the Western Conference Final since the 2017-18 season.
Maple Leafs left winger Mitch Marner found the 'dad strength' vs. Panthers
Marner became a father on Sunday when his wife, Stephanie, gave birth to his son, Miles. According to The Athletic's Chris Johnston, Mitch Marner started writing his son's first initial on his stick tape to keep him in mind between shifts.
"I'm trying to play for him," Mitch Marner told Johnston.
Perhaps the thought of Miles Marner gave his father some extra power when he scored a key goal in Game 2 against the Florida Panthers early in the third period. Seventeen seconds after Panthers center Anton Lundell tied the game at 3-3, Mitch Marner netted a wrist shot from the boards. His goal sealed a 4-3 win for Toronto, which now leads the series 2-0.
17 seconds after the Panthers tie the game, the @MapleLeafs regain the lead thanks to Mitch Marner! #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2025
: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/Biycin3FnK
It's safe to say that becoming a father has spurred Mitch Marner's fast start this postseason. In eight playoff games, the 28-year-old has 10 points (eight assists and two goals), his second-highest mark in the postseason in his career.
Are the Panthers in trouble?
The reigning Stanley Cup champions can still mount a comeback, but history isn't on their side. According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, the Panthers are 0-5 in a best-of-seven series when they drop the first two games.
The Maple Leafs haven't made the Eastern Conference Final since the 2001-02 season. Unlike past Toronto squads, Panthers center Brad Marchand thinks this one has what it takes to make a deep playoff run.
"We have our work cut out," Marchand said in a postgame news conference. "They're playing really well, and obviously, their top guys are capitalizing on every opportunity, it seems like."
In two games against Toronto, the Panthers have allowed nine goals and blocked just 19 shots. Florida's defense better improve quickly, or its chances of coming back may dwindle.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Stars' Mikko Rantanen was unstoppable vs. Jets
- Maple Leafs break tie in third period, take 2-0 series lead vs. Panthers
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
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