The NHL’s regular season is coming to an end! will broadcast on TV2 and Areena on Saturday 8 April. two matches in a row. First at 7:25 p.m., Buffalo–Carolina, and from 10:25 p.m., Dallas and Vegas face off.
Star striker Mikko Rantanen plays pucks into the goal during Colorado Avalanche practice Friday at the home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. The hat trick, which includes his 50th NHL goal of the season against San Jose, is fresh in the mind.
– Of course there are good feelings. It’s nice that that limit is over, so you don’t have to think about it anymore. It’s just a number after all. It’s nice that I’ve been able to help the team with my own goals. The most important thing is to get points in the standings, says Rantanen to Urheilu in his modest style.
However, the power pier admits that crossing the border crossing was a relief. It frees up thoughts and gives extra power to your own and the entire team’s play.
– Of course, self-confidence comes when there are successes. If you get stuck on a number, you start to wonder if you’ll reach a milestone or not. It’s nice that the goal thing is over, so now you can focus on the playoffs.
Rantanen is only the third Finnish NHL player to reach 50 goals in a season. Only puck legends have been able to do that before from Rantas Jari Kurri and Teemu Selänne.
– It’s an honor to be in the same group as the two best players in Finnish history in any statistic. Both have had multiple 50 goal seasons. This is great stuff.
Congratulations are pouring in
Teemu Selänne congratulated Ranta on Twitter with an old photo where the young player meets his idol.
– I’ve seen that picture before, but it was funny what Teemu wrote. I laughed sweetly at it, Rantanen says.
Also Avalanche athletic director Joe Sakicwho reached two 50-goal seasons as a player, congratulated Ranta.
– It was great to receive congratulations from him. Sakic always advises to shoot the puck into the net. He usually says that every time we see each other and not much else. I think it’s great that the “Hall of Famer” can still give advice, praises Rantanen.
The head coach Jared Bednar praise the Finn without inhibition. Bednar values reaching the limit especially this season, when Rantanen has been playing with different teammates all the time due to injuries.
– Mikko has had a phenomenal season. It’s great to watch him take new steps in his career. Especially reaching the 50 goal mark is fantastic. When it came with a hat trick and leading the team to victory, the achievement was even better. It was wonderful for the whole team as well, because his playing has raised the level of others as well, says Bednar.
Another phantom border looms
Thanks to his 52 (52+46=98) hits, Rantanen is already third in the NHL goal statistics. Above are only Edmonton Connor McDavid (62+86=148) and Boston David Pastrnak (57+47=104). The limit of one hundred power points is only two points away.
– You don’t have to force yourself to get it, but it’s better if you don’t think too much about these personal things. They will then come naturally if I play for the team and try my best.
40 of Rantanen’s goals have come with even fives. It speaks of a good team and chain friends.
– I myself have also tried to work a lot for the five-on-five game. Even with a superior team, you have to have the ability to score goals, but five-on-five is where you play the most. I have tried to be efficient in that and succeeded quite well this year.
Tähtlaituri considers his large size to be his greatest strength as a goal scorer.
– I like to go in front of the goal. Most of the own goals have come from there this year. It is of course a strength, when you have size and strength, you can roll there. Then there will be return pucks, other tips, so the most goals will come from there.
To the playoffs with the power of experience
Injuries have plagued Colorado this season more than usual. Among the top players, Rantanen’s chain mate, the captain Gabriel Landeskog has not played at all this season due to knee surgery. Center Nathan MacKinnon and the recipient of the Norris award for the best defenseman last season Cale Makar have also been injured.
Rantanen has gained even more responsibility when scouting high-profile players.
– You want it, and you have to take more of a role when there are injuries. We have a lot of top and veteran players out, and when there is a younger team, you have to help the team more in the locker room and on the field.
Rantanen himself has been able to be healthy. My fitness and stamina are still fine.
– I’ve been able to press well when 80 games have been played. The energy has not run out.
The Avalanche, who are fighting for the Central Division victory with Dallas, will start the playoffs starting on April 17 from a different starting point than a year ago. There are many benefits to being a reigning champion.
– Of course, it helps that we are more experienced than last year. We get energy and credit from the events of a year ago. We also know that there are a lot of good teams against us. Winning any single round does not come easily. You have to take the good things from last year and keep your mental strength, so I think that will help, sums up Rantanen.
The NHL’s regular season is coming to an end! will broadcast on TV2 and Areena on Saturday 8 April. two matches in a row. First at 7:25 p.m., Buffalo–Carolina, and from 10:25 p.m., Dallas and Vegas face off.