1. Rantanen's midrange goals, shots on goal
Rantanen scored the only third period hat trick in a Game 7 in NHL history as the Dallas Stars forward helped eliminate the Colorado Avalanche, his former team. Rantanen had 11 of his 12 points (five goals, seven assists) during the final three games of the series against the Avalanche and ranks fourth among active players in career playoff points per game (1.28; 113 in 88 games).
Per NHL EDGE stats, Rantanen scored two midrange goals on two midrange shots on goal (one was an empty-net goal) in Game 7. He ranks among the NHL leaders in midrange goals (three; tied for second behind former teammate Nathan MacKinnon's four) and midrange shots on goal (eight; tied for eighth) this postseason.
Rantanen, traded twice this season and acquired by the Stars from the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, has found chemistry on Dallas' top line with center Roope Hintz, who has 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) in 41 games for the Stars during the past three playoffs combined (leads team during that span). Per NHL EDGE stats, Hintz ranks second in the League in high-danger shots on goal (12), second in top skating speed (23.67 mph) and second in 22-plus mph speed bursts (nine) this postseason.
Rantanen and Hintz could benefit from the upcoming returns of two injured teammates, forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who could play at some point during the upcoming series. It's also worth noting Rantanen had nine points (two goals, seven assists) and 14 shots on goal in five games during the Avalanche's 2024 Western Conference First Round series win against the Jets.
2. Oettinger's high-danger prowess
The Stars starter leads goalies from the remaining playoff teams with 49 high-danger saves on 61 high-danger shots faced this postseason. He also leads all goalies this postseason in both midrange saves and long-range saves (51 each) and has not allowed any goals from long range.
Hellebuyck, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the League's top goalie and the Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player, bounced back after two early goals allowed to win Game 7, but he previously struggled to replicate his elite regular-season form, especially on the road. Hellebuyck, who led the NHL in wins (47 in 62 decisions), goals-against average (2.00), save percentage (.925; minimum 35 games) and shutouts (eight) for the second straight regular season, has a .667 high-danger save percentage during the postseason, tied for second worst among goalies with at least one start.
Oettinger and Hellebuyck each allowed 12 high-danger goals during the first round, but Oettinger faced 25 more high-danger shots (61) than Hellebuyck (36). Hellebuyck allowed eight high-danger goals on 13 high-danger shots faced (.385 save percentage) in three road games during the opening round, while Dallas was 3-1 at home during their series win against Colorado.
3. Skating distances of Pionk, Harley
Jets defenseman Neal Pionk, who signed a six-year contract prior to the start of the postseason, finished Game 7 of the first round with 46:15 of ice time, the most in a playoff game in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history. The Jets were down to five defensemen after Josh Morrissey was injured after playing 2:09. Pionk had the primary assist on the game-winning goal by Adam Lowry in double overtime, marking his third point (all assists) of the game and fifth (one goal, four assists) of the seven-game series.
Per NHL EDGE stats, Pionk skated 6.60 miles in Game 7, the most in a single game this postseason, including 3.67 miles in the defensive zone alone. Pionk now ranks seventh in the entire NHL and third among players at the position in total skating distance (25.01 miles) this postseason, while Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (28.65 miles in seven games) leads the League in that category playing an elevated role in Heiskanen's absence. The status of Morrissey and Heiskanen, as well as the workload and efficiency of Pionk and Harley, will be another crucial storyline during this series.
Among forwards, three players in this series rank among the top 10 in total skating distance through the end of the first round: Connor (25.71 miles, first) and Lowry (22.37 miles, 10th) from the Jets and Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (23.19 miles; sixth), who scored the go-ahead power-play goal in Dallas' Game 7 win.
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EDGE stats team comparison: WPG vs. DAL
