In a stunning turn of events, the Colorado Avalanche, who held a 2-0 lead in Game 7 against the Dallas Stars, suffered a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat, with Mikko Rantanen scoring a remarkable hat trick in the third period. This performance marked him as the first player in NHL history to score a hat trick in the third period of a Game 7 and to record a 4-point period in consecutive games.

Despite their valiant efforts, including Gabriel Landeskog's insights on missed opportunities, the Avalanche's loss illustrated the razor-thin margin for error in the playoffs. Rantanen's success did little to soften the sting for his former teammates, highlighting both the celebration of individual achievement and the collective disappointment of elimination. Dallas now prepares to face off against either the Winnipeg Jets or St. Louis Blues in the next round.