Mikko Rantanen is an unstoppable force right now.

Another hat trick, this time in the second period of Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets, powered the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Jets to open the second round series.

Rantanen has now factored in on the last 12 Dallas goals, and posted two hat tricks in a span of three periods between Wednesday's game and Game 7 against Colorado. His stats are unmatched in NHL history, and he is stealing the headlines across the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now.

Dallas snaps an eight game losing streak in series openers, dating back to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay. It has not been often where Dallas opens on the road, but they were able to fight through whiteout conditions in Winnipeg to gain the early momentum in the series.

The Stars came out with intention, getting the first nine shots on goal before Winnipeg gained their footing. Dallas could not get one past Connor Hellebuyck, though, and the first period remained scoreless despite both teams putting double digit shots on net. Jake Oettinger was sharp, as he was all night, making 29 saves on 31 shots on goal from the Jets.

In the second period, Nino Niederrieter opened the scoring for Winnipeg on a perfect backhand shot that rang off the far post and in as Oettinger was sliding towards his near post. The crowd was electrified, and it appeared that the Jets might be propelled towards a strong performance the rest of the way.

Then Rantanen entered the picture.

Rantanen found a rebound off an Evgenii Dadonov shot, and while falling to the ice, threw a one-handed poke towards the puck and bounced it off the post and into the net to tie the game 1-1.

Then, Rantanen tipped a Thomas Harley shot from the point above the shoulder of Hellebuyck for a 2-1 lead. At that point, it was unbelievable to think he could continue his scoring run the way he had.

But he was not done. On the power play, Rantanen tried to slide a pass to Roope Hintz on the back door, but it went off of Jets defenseman Logan Stanley and through the five hole of Hellebuyck for a 3-1 lead and a natural hat trick all in the second period.

The Jets were 0-for-3 on the power play at that point, and Rantanen's third goal was the first power play opportunity of the game. Cashing in on that opportunity ended up being the difference in the score at end of the game.

Mark Scheifele scored to cut the lead back down to one as the second period dwindled down to a close, marking his return following a series of hits in Game 5 of their series against the St. Louis Blues.

In the third period, Winnipeg fought hard to get back into the game, but Oettinger and the Stars defense held strong. The best chance for the Jets came with the net empty. A scramble in front of Oettinger resulted in a series of three shots, Oettinger on his back, and Esa Lindell once again saving a sure-fire goal in front of an empty net.

Dallas held on and took the 1-0 series lead with their 3-2 win.

The Stars and Jets are back at it again Friday night at 8:30 p.m. CDT.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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