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Mikko Rantanen Returns From Injury, Posts 2 Points in Stars' 6-3 Win in Pittsburgh

The move boosts a slumping Dallas group chasing home ice in a likely first-round series.

Feb 2, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) look on during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images/ File Photo

Overview

  • Rantanen, who was activated off injured reserve Saturday, recorded a goal and an assist in a 6-3 victory over the Penguins that halted Dallas’s four-game skid.
  • He had missed about 15 games with a lower-body injury suffered with Team Finland at the Winter Olympics, where he logged six points and helped secure bronze.
  • The 29-year-old now sits at 20 goals and 49 assists for 69 points in 54 NHL games this season, keeping him among Dallas’s top scorers despite the layoff.
  • The timing matters for the Stars, who have cooled after a strong year and are working to lock down home-ice advantage in an expected opening-round matchup with the Wild.
  • Dallas plays again Sunday in Philadelphia in a back-to-back, and some reports suggested the team could manage Rantanen’s workload after his extended absence.