Mikko Rantanen’s Hat Trick Lifts Stars Past Bruins in OT, 3-2

DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2026 — The Dallas Stars spent much of Tuesday night trying to catch the Boston Bruins. Twice Dallas fell behind, and twice Mikko Rantanen brought the Stars back.

Rantanen scored all three Dallas goals, completing his hat trick at 3:52 of overtime to give the Stars a 3-2 victory before 18,532 fans at American Airlines Center.

The win was Dallas’ third straight and ended Boston’s five-game winning streak. It was Rantanen’s first regular-season hat trick with the Stars and the 11th of his NHL career.

Boston Takes the Lead

Boston struck just 2:09 into the first period when Matthew Poitras scored off a pass from Frederic Brunet.

Dallas generated several chances but couldn’t get past Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Jake Oettinger also made important stops, helping the Stars kill an early Boston power play without allowing a shot on goal.

Dallas outshot Boston 9-7 in the first period but trailed 1-0.

The Stars opened the second with more offensive pressure. Shortly after Oettinger stopped Morgan Geekie on a breakaway, Rantanen tied the game at 2:50, scoring on a rebound following a play by Jason Robertson near the net.

Boston answered at 7:30 when James Hagens redirected Casey Mittelstadt’s pass past Oettinger, restoring the Bruins’ 2-1 lead. Nikita Zadorov also assisted.

The Bruins blocked shots and disrupted Dallas’ offensive opportunities throughout the period.

“They’re a hard team to play, they’re well coached,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said afterward. “They don’t give you a lot, you can see real estate is tight.”

Penalty Kill Keeps Dallas Close

With defenseman Esa Lindell out of the lineup, Dallas relied on other players, including Tyler Myers, to help cover his absence. The Stars killed all four Boston power plays.

Myers credited the team’s positioning and communication, including adjustments discussed with Oettinger between periods.

“Our PK has been awesome, and it’s such fun to watch,” Rantanen said. “The guys are on the same page, making big blocks, and [Jake] Oettinger is making big saves.”

Boston continued blocking shots in the third, limiting Dallas to just two shots on goal during the period.

“Let’s Go Stars” chants broke out inside American Airlines Center as Dallas looked for the tying goal.

With 6:22 remaining, Roope Hintz fired a shot that deflected off Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Rantanen collected the loose puck and scored his second goal, tying the game 2-2. Thomas Harley also assisted.

Neither team scored again in regulation.

Overtime Decides It

Wyatt Johnston had two breakaway opportunities approximately 10 seconds apart in overtime, but Swayman stopped both.

The crowd grew louder as Dallas continued attacking, with Swayman preventing the Stars from ending the game.

Johnston acknowledged the frustration afterward.

“It’s kind of impossible not to get frustrated, especially when you get some good looks in overtime,” Johnston said. “You just got to stay with it.”

Boston’s Pavel Zacha was penalized for slashing Thomas Harley at 2:28, giving Dallas a four-on-three power play.

Rantanen received a pass from Miro Heiskanen low in the offensive zone, moved toward the net and beat Swayman with a backhand shot. Robertson earned the second assist.

“It felt like he held on to that last one for 60 seconds before he made his move,” Gulutzan said.

Rantanen’s third goal was the 321st of his career, tying Olli Jokinen for third-most among Finnish skaters in NHL history.

Bruins Point to Missed Opportunities

Boston coach Marco Sturm praised his team’s effort but acknowledged its power-play struggles.

“We couldn’t really find our rhythm, and they were very aggressive,” Sturm said.

Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov credited Rantanen for the winner.

“On the power play in overtime Mikko [Rantanen] made an unbelievable play there, so you just have to tip the hat there,” Zadorov said.

Oettinger finished with 18 saves, while Swayman stopped 22. Dallas outshot Boston 25-20.

The Stars improved to 5-3-1, while Boston fell to 7-2-1, finishing its road trip with seven of eight possible points.

“He’s just a beast,” Johnston said of Rantanen. “Obviously, three huge goals and that’s just the player he is.”