If the Avalanche adjust and try to keep a pairing like Cale Makar and Devon Toews playing against Rantanen's line, it will free up a better matchup for the other two scoring lines.

But that wasn’t who Mikko Rantanen was in the Colorado Avalanche locker room. He was Mikko. Not every hockey nickname sticks inside the dressing room. Sure, Erik Johnson is EJ. Devon Toews is Tazer.

3. Rantanen muscled a puck out of his own zone to Mason Marchment, who fended off Devon Toews and sent the puck to Tyler Seguin for the overtime winner in Game 3 to give Dallas a 2-1 series lead.

Another first-round exit, at the hands of former Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, stung particularly badly. The Avalanche face challenges in the summer, but should be back as contenders ...

Avalanche’s new reality is here, with playoff star Mikko Rantanen playing for the other guys Mikko Rantanen, traded to Carolina in January, will try to help Dallas Stars knock out Colorado again ...

Another first-round exit, at the hands of former Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, stung particularly badly. The Avalanche face challenges in the summer, but should be back as contenders ...

Avalanche’s new reality is here, with playoff star Mikko Rantanen playing for the other guys Mikko Rantanen, traded to Carolina in January, will try to help Dallas Stars knock out Colorado again ...

Mikko Rantanen, traded to Carolina in January, will try to help Dallas Stars knock out Colorado again in Stanley Cup Playoffs Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) before playing the Colorado ...