Rantanen Scores Hat Trick to Lift Stars Past Bruins in Overtime

Mikko Rantanen scored three goals, including a power-play winner in overtime, to give the Dallas Stars a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Dallas. The comeback improved Dallas to 5-3-1 and ended Boston's five-game winning streak, despite the Bruins holding two separate leads during regulation.

Rantanen tied the game twice before completing his hat trick 3:52 into overtime. Boston fell to 7-2-1 after surrendering a one-goal advantage in the third period and failing to score on four power-play opportunities, according to coverage from the Dallas Morning News, the Boston Herald and Sports Illustrated.

Matthew Poitras opened the scoring at 2:09 of the first period with a one-timer from the slot. Frederic Brunet set up the goal after receiving the puck from Tanner Jeannot, giving Boston an early lead that it maintained through the first intermission.

Rantanen equalized at 2:50 of the second period after a turnover created an opportunity in front of the Boston net. Jason Robertson helped force the loose-puck chance, allowing Rantanen to finish after Jeremy Swayman made the initial save.

James Hagens restored Boston's lead at 7:30 of the second, redirecting Casey Mittelstadt's pass into the net for his third goal of the season. Nikita Zadorov also earned an assist on the play, which put the Bruins ahead 2-1.

Dallas pressed for an equalizer throughout the third period, with Rantanen completing his second goal at 13:38 remaining in regulation's closing stretch, with 6:22 left on the clock. Roope Hintz generated the opportunity, and the puck deflected off Charlie McAvoy before reaching Rantanen, who finished against an exposed net.

The teams could not break the 2-2 tie before regulation ended. In overtime, Swayman stopped Wyatt Johnston on two breakaway opportunities, keeping Boston alive before Pavel Zacha was penalized for slashing. Rantanen then lifted a backhand shot past Swayman at 3:52 to secure the victory.

Dallas entered the game seeking more production after scoring just 2.38 goals per game, ranking 27th in the NHL before Tuesday's contest, according to the Dallas Morning News. Rantanen's performance moved him to five goals and 11 points for the season, making him the Stars' leading scorer in both categories.

The Stars also faced defensive disruption because Esa Lindell was expected to miss a week with a lower-body injury sustained while blocking a shot against Chicago on Saturday. Dallas nevertheless killed all four Boston power plays, limiting the Bruins to three shots on goal during those advantages.

Jake Oettinger made 18 saves for Dallas, while Swayman stopped 22 shots for Boston. Oettinger delivered several early close-range stops, including attempts by Morgan Geekie and Hagens, helping the Stars remain within reach as their offense developed.

Dallas converted its overtime power play after going 4-for-23 with the man advantage entering the game. Boston, meanwhile, finished 0-for-4 on power plays, including opportunities late in the second period and early in the third.

Bruins coach Marco Sturm credited his players' effort while acknowledging the missed opportunity to collect both points on the road.

"I thought the guys played great. They deserved definitely a point. A little unfortunate to give up the second point but, looking back, what a great road trip. But I really liked our effort," said Sturm.

Boston had collected seven of eight possible points during its four-game road trip before the overtime defeat. The loss ended a five-game winning streak, although the team had continued to produce strong defensive performances during its recent run.

Sturm identified the power play as a major difference in the result, saying Dallas applied pressure that prevented Boston from establishing its usual rhythm.

"That was probably a little bit the difference. We couldn't find our rhythm and they were very aggressive. But we had opportunities to shoot and we just didn't. But other than that, it was a good performance," said Sturm.

Hagens' second-period goal reflected Boston's willingness to attack the area directly in front of the net. Sturm credited assistant coach Chris Kelly for working with the rookie on positioning and competing in difficult areas.

"(Assistant coach Chris Kelly) does a good job and he's been working with the kid. It's not college anymore. You've got to go to the hard areas and he went there. Good for him for going there and he got rewarded," said Sturm.

The Stars still need additional production from their top six forwards. Johnston entered the game without a goal in seven appearances and missed three significant overtime chances, including two breakaways and an opportunity on the power play. He had tied for Dallas' team lead with a career-best 45 goals the previous season.

Boston returns to TD Garden on Thursday to face the Nashville Predators, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time on NESN, according to Sports Illustrated's game report.