Rantanen Among Finnish Greats

A day when Mikko Rantanen is not smiling is rare. The laidback, fun-loving Finn is almost always in a good mood, both at the rink and away from it.
He has become quite the vocal presence and jokester in his second NHL season. It's not unusual to hear the Colorado Avalanche forward chirp his teammates during the club's pregame two-touch soccer game, shooting competitions after practice or when trying to toss a ball of used hockey tape into a trash bin.
However when it's game time, that's when Rantanen gets down to business and he's been a force on the ice this year. Using his 6-foot-4 frame, he's excelled at protecting the puck and crashing the net and his efforts have contributed to plenty of goals, which often brings out more giant smiles from the 21-year-old.

Rantanen's wide grin has happened a lot this year, as the right wing will likely finish the regular season on a point-per-game pace after registering 80 (27 goals and 53 assists) in his first 73 contests. He is currently tied for 14th in league scoring.
The Nousiainen, Finland, native reached the 80-point milestone on Thursday night when he scored during a scramble in the crease against the Los Angeles Kings and joined some elite company among his countrymen in the process.
Rantanen became the fourth player from Finland to reach 80 points in an NHL season, with only legends Olli Jokinen, Jari Kurri and Teemu Selanne having previously reached the mark. Finland-born Tomas Sandstrom had also reached 80 points, but he grew up in Sweden and played for the Finn's Nordic rival in international competitions.
"It's a big honor to be a part of that group," Rantanen said of being one of the few Finns to register 80 points. "There have been a lot of Finnish NHL players. To be a part of that group and those legends, it's a big honor. Hopefully I have many more years to go."

Rantanen has proved to be an invaluable member of the Avalanche this season and will continue to be counted on down the final stretch of the season as the club looks to secure a playoff spot.
He's been on Colorado top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog since the end of October, and they have become one of the most dominant groups in the league this year. The trio has combined for 89 goals this season and has helped the Avs average 3.19 goals per game, tied for eighth in the NHL.
"When you play 60 games together, the chemistry builds," Rantanen said. "When Landy or MacK get the puck, I usually know what they want to do or where they want me to be. It's how the good lines go. We like to talk in the middle of the period and in the intermission on what we can do next period or next shift. That's a big key if you want to succeed."
Rantanen's growth this year comes from his play around the net and along the boards.
He showcased his skill and physicality during his rookie season in 2016-17 when he posted 38 points and a team-high 20 goals, but he's taken his play to a new level, and then some, in Year No. 2.
"I think I can play more down low against big D and hold onto the puck a little bit longer, probably have more poise with the puck," Rantanen said of his improvement from his first full season in the league. "It comes when you go into your second year in the league, you have more poise and more comfortable on the ice."
He's been quietly making a name for himself around the league in 2017-18 and has elevated his game for the Avalanche's playoff push. He is on an eight-game point streak, which matches a career long that he set earlier this year, and is tied with MacKinnon for the league lead in scoring in the month of March after posting seven goals and 14 assists in the first 11 contests.
"I don't really care about the spotlight or anything," Rantanen said. "It's a team game. If we make the playoffs, then I'm happy."