Dallas Stars Thrive Without Rantanen, Eyeing Playoff Success

0:00With the NHL today, March 16th, the Dallas stars are on fire this season with a record of 42 wins, 14 losses, and 10 overtime losses, sitting just three points behind. The Central Division leading Colorado Avalanche, they have not lost in regulation over their last 15 games, all without their star 6 foot 4-Winger, Miko Rantannon, whom they signed to A, 96 million-dollar deal last March. Rantannon skated on his own for the first time on March 10th, and aims to return around March 24th. He got hurt in Finland's Olympic semifinal against Canada on February 20th, missing the bronze medal win over Slovakia. That lower body injury sideline him for 18 days before he hit the ice again. Coach Glenn Gulletsan called it a freak play with no bad intent, projecting a comeback in two to two and a half weeks from that first skate. The stars have thrived without him, and other key finish forwards, like Group Hints, posting a 14 wins, zero losses, one overtime loss streak.

1:03Since the Olympic break that matches their franchise record from the 1999 Stanley Cup team, fans and analysts are buzzing about their depth, with goalie Jake O'Edinger, steady in net, and a top power play clicking at home. Even missing Tyler Seguin for the season, the team's structure has kept them winning big. Rantannon's return adds firepower. He was at a point per game pace before the Olympics, with solid international play too. His shot boosts the power play, and his playoff pedigree from last spring shines through. Hints, their top center, is also nearing a comeback from his own lower body Ilyan, no surgery needed. With 94 points and second in the West, Dallas has room to ease them back. If Rantannon looks sharp against New Jersey on March 24th, this lineup could be their deepest yet heading into the playoffs, setting up a real shot at the president's trophy. The Daily News Now is made possible with support from our sponsor, headphones in a pillow, simple idea, surprisingly addictive, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.