Sunday afternoons clash between Central Division rivals Colorado and Dallas was already destined to be a great one, but the stakes were just a little bit higher this time around. This game would mark the first time Mikko Rantanen would play at Ball Arena not wearing a Colorado Avalanche sweater, but instead repping the white and green for an already stacked Stars team. Rantanen’s arrival in Dallas came just 14 games into his tenure in Carolina after being dealt to the Hurricanes after many failed discussions of a contract extension in Colorado. Avs head coach Jared Bednar was asked about Rantanen at the time of being traded to Carolina and he said, “he’s an incredible player…I wish him nothing but the best, just not against us”. It was clear that tensions would be high on both sides of the contest, and both teams would be giving it their all to come out on top for an advantage in playoff seeding….and bragging rights.

During the game a tribute video was played in honor of Rantanen and all of his contributions to the Avalanche, from the moment his name was called at he draft all the way to hoisting the Stanley Cup at their celebration parade in downtown Denver.

Welcome back, Mikko ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/vyNWReOcgA

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 16, 2025

Onto the game itself, the first period scoring opened when Dallas forced the puck deep into Colorado’s zone after a failed clearing attempt, and gave Mikko Rantanen a chance to center a pass which found the puck on the stick of Jason Robertson who fired it past Scott Wedgewood to give the Stars their first goal on their first shot on goal of the game. This assist for Rantanen would also make it his 400th for his career, and everyone in the building must have known this one was either awfully bittersweet, or even more savoury for the finnish winger.

Colorado would answer inside the same frame, as on their third powerplay opportunity of the period, Martin Necas made his way to the front of the net and was able to redirect a shot from Cale Makar at the point that snuck it’s way past Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger to tie up the score at 1-1 heading into intermission.

The Avs rifled another goal into the back of the net to start the second period, as Valeri Nichushkin would be the culprit and would notch a milestone achievement of his own racking up his 300th career point with that goal. But the scoring wouldn’t end there, as Jonathon Drouin would blast a one-timer short side over Oettinger’s shoulder to increases the Avs lead to 3-1.

The third and final period would arrive, and the Stars were now fighting against the clock looking to get themselves back to even. Mikko Rantanen attempted to help his team out some more and get himself on the goalscorers sheet but was denied by a heroic effort by Wedgewood.

Not in his house ❌#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/3UdEa61HtM

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 16, 2025

However, Dallas refused to say die and battled back into the game after Mavrik Bourque would bury a rebound chance with Wedgewood losing his stick in the process of another string of incredible saves, and Colorado’s lead would be cut in half with just 5:48 remaining. And all it took was 20 seconds later for Matt Duchene to pot another one and tie the game up at 3-3. After all the fighting and clawing Dallas had done, their hard work finally payed off. After the full 60 minutes of regulation, neither team could pull ahead, this game was too good to be over just yet and the fans would be treated to some bonus hockey in overtime.

The extra five minutes of sudden death would be quick lived, as Cale Makar would enter the zone and rush towards the net before seeming to turn back to set up the offence, but would catch Oettinger off guard by shooting the puck along the ice which would miss the outstretched pad of the Stars goalie and find the mesh on the far side of the net.

We are not worthy 🙌 👑#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/bqey3uIHL0

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 16, 2025

Makar sent all the fans home happy, and secured the win along with the two much needed points against their likely first round playoff opponent. Colorado heads north of the boarder next as they take on Toronto on the road after hosting them in Denver just five games ago. Colorado sticks around in Canada after, taking a trip to the nation’s capital to play the Sens, and wrapping up the road trip in Montreal to take on the Canadiens.

Winner: Colorado Avalanche (41-24-3)

Loser: Dallas Stars (42-21-3)

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

C. Makar 1G, 2A

S. Wedgewood 1W, 19 SV, .863 SV%

V. Nichushkin 1G, 1A