A key forward's extended absence sparks concern. How will the Stars overcome his scoring and playmaking void, especially with playoff hopes on the line?
Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen will be sidelined for at least two weeks, and possibly longer, after being placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury, Glen Gulutzan confirmed.
The injury, which has raised questions about whether it occurred during the Winter Olympics or was carried into the tournament, kept Rantanen out of Finland’s bronze medal game against Slovakia, though he had participated in the first five Olympic matchups.
Reports suggest the injury could have been sustained in Finland’s semifinal against Canada, where Rantanen scored. Despite missing the final game, he led his team in scoring at the Olympics with six points, tallying two goals and four assists.
Rantanen’s absence is a major setback for the Stars as they try to maintain momentum heading toward the end of the NHL season. The 26-year-old winger has been on pace for one of his best campaigns, with 20 goals and 49 assists in 54 games.
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While the injury may keep him from challenging for 100 points for the third time in his career, protecting Rantanen’s health is vital for Dallas as they attempt to end a three-game losing streak in the Western Conference Finals.
With their star forward out, the Stars will need to lean more on their supporting players and secondary scoring over the next few weeks. Rantanen’s combination of skill and playmaking is difficult to replace, and ensuring a full recovery could be the key for Dallas to finish the season strong and mount a serious playoff run.
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