A still-getting-his-feet-beneath-him Rantanen is still a really good Rantanen. But really good isn’t good enough against the revamped Avs.

The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche head into Game Four of their playoff series as the Stars carry a 2-1 series lead.

"It's two things: It's where our team's at, and it's Mikko Rantanen," Nill said. "A lot of times when you go into a trade, it's for an older player that has two or three years left in his career.

It will be the first where Mikko Rantanen is one of the bad guys. “Yeah,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said matter-of-factly when asked if facing Rantanen in the playoffs will be surreal.

Rantanen logged an assist, five shots on goal, three blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win over the Avalanche in Game 3. Rantanen snapped a three-game dry spell with the helper ...

Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) tries to set up a play as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) trials behind during the first period of Game 1 of an opening round playoff game ...

Of course the Stars would end up with a can’t-miss player like Mikko Rantanen only to see him vanish when the team needs him the most. It’s par for the course when it comes to the most down ...