DALLAS -- Before he became the most dominant player in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Mikko Rantanen wasn't exactly himself.
"I think this year has been such a whirlwind for him that it took him some time to get comfortable with us," Dallas defenseman Brendan Smith said.
In his four previous NHL seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, Rantanen was fifth among all players in goals (163) and seventh in points per game (1.27). He was well on his way to hitting his marks again this season, with 25 goals and a 1.