DALLAS — Mikko Rantanen delivered a three-goal performance, including the overtime winner, to lead the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
Rantanen recorded his first regular-season hat trick with Dallas and the 11th of his NHL career. His third goal was the 321st of his career, tying fellow Finnish forward Olli Jokinen for the third-most goals by a Finnish-born player in NHL history, according to NHL statistics.
The Stars needed Rantanen’s scoring touch to overcome a determined Boston team that entered the matchup riding a five-game winning streak. Dallas stayed within striking distance before finding the decisive goal in overtime.
“We just stuck with it,” Rantanen said. “A couple of big penalty kills again. Our PK has been awesome.”
Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan praised Rantanen’s ability to deliver in a tightly contested game.
“He made some plays tonight,” Gulutzan said. “That’s what those guys do, and you need those guys to do that in order to win these types of games.”
The Stars’ special teams also played a significant role. Gulutzan credited the penalty kill for limiting Boston’s opportunities, particularly after Dallas fell behind and faced several penalties. The power play eventually came through during a four-on-three advantage in overtime.
Dallas continued a strong defensive trend, allowing two or fewer goals for the seventh time in nine games this season.
Jason Robertson contributed two assists, extending his point streak against Boston to eight games. Roope Hintz added an assist on Rantanen’s second goal, while Thomas Harley assisted on the third-period score.
The victory also marked a milestone for Sam Steel, who appeared in his 500th NHL game. He became the 15th player selected in the 2016 NHL Draft to reach that mark.
Despite the loss, Boston coach Marco Sturm was pleased with his team’s overall effort and the result of its road trip.
“I thought the guys played great,” Sturm said. “They definitely deserved a point. It was unfortunate to give up the second point.”
Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov acknowledged the challenge of containing Dallas’ offensive talent, particularly in overtime, when Rantanen capitalized on the opportunity.
Boston earned seven points in eight games on its trip, according to Zadorov, and will look to carry that momentum into its upcoming home games.
For Dallas, Rantanen’s timely scoring and the penalty kill’s resilience proved decisive in a game that required patience and execution until the final moment.
