Mikko Rantanen hat trick powers Avalanche to win over Kings

The Colorado Avalanche have been through a turbulent start to their 2023-24 season, struggling with a series of injuries to key players and inconsistent play at times. Despite these setbacks, the team has managed to stay competitive, largely due to the play of its stars, and in particular, the incredible performance of Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen, one of the top forwards in the NHL, has been the driving force behind the team’s offense, producing eye-popping statistics and single-handedly keeping the Avalanche in games when the rest of the team has faltered.

One of Rantanen’s most impressive feats this season came during a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings, where he scored all three of Colorado’s goals in a hat trick performance that not only secured the victory but also highlighted his ability to take over a game when his team needs him most. The win was a much-needed boost for the Avalanche, who had been struggling with injuries to key players like Val Nichushkin, Jonathan Drouin, and Miles Wood. These injuries have forced the team to rely heavily on their superstar trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. However, even with the firepower of those three players, Colorado’s offense had struggled to score at even strength, ranking 26th in the league in 5v5 goals prior to the game against the Kings.

Rantanen’s performance in this game served as a reminder of his importance to the team and why he’s considered one of the best wingers in the NHL. His hat trick was not only a testament to his scoring ability but also to his leadership. The Avalanche were facing a difficult situation, trailing 2-1 after the first period. The Kings had come out strong, with Adrian Kempe scoring both of their goals early in the game, and Los Angeles had outshot the Avalanche 9-5 in the opening frame. Colorado’s defense, a unit that has historically been strong, was slow to get going, and their struggles in the first period were becoming a pattern that had plagued them throughout the early part of the season.

However, after the first intermission, Rantanen took control of the game. His first goal came early in the second period, a powerful shot that tied the game at 2-2. That goal was a turning point for the Avalanche. From that moment on, the team looked much sharper defensively, and Rantanen’s play began to elevate those around him. His second and third goals came in the third period, each one a crucial strike that gave Colorado the lead and ultimately sealed the victory. The way he controlled the game in the final 40 minutes showed just how dominant he can be when he’s on top of his game.

One of the most striking aspects of the victory over the Kings was the Avalanche’s defensive play. After allowing two early goals, the team tightened up and dominated the final two periods, holding the Kings to just six shots on goal in the final 42 minutes of the game. It was the kind of defensive performance that few teams can produce, and it was made all the more impressive by the fact that the Avalanche had been struggling defensively earlier in the season. The Avalanche only allowed one shot on goal in the second period, a remarkable feat in its own right and one that only underscores the change in momentum after Rantanen’s first goal.

The defensive effort in the latter half of the game was a significant improvement from what the Avalanche had shown in the first period, where defensive breakdowns from Cale Makar and Devon Toews had led to the Kings’ second goal. After that misstep, however, Colorado clamped down, allowing just five shots on goal in the final 37 minutes of 5-on-5 play. The Avs defense, bolstered by the stellar play of Alexandar Georgiev in net, was nothing short of dominant. The Kings had a few chances, including a breakaway by Kevin Fiala, but he hit the post. After that, the Avalanche shut the door. They allowed only five scoring chances, two of which were high-danger opportunities, which are absurdly low numbers for a team facing a potent opponent like the Kings.

This game illustrated just how dangerous the Avalanche can be when they’re clicking on all cylinders. When they’re firing on offense and locking it down defensively, few teams can match their firepower or their defensive prowess. While the team’s overall play has been uneven at times, they showed against the Kings that when they are on their game, they can dominate in every area of the ice.

What made Rantanen’s performance even more special was the context of the game. The Avalanche were missing several key players due to injury, and their offense had been sputtering at even strength. Despite these challenges, Rantanen was able to carry the load offensively, showing why he’s regarded as one of the top forwards in the league. Through his leadership and skill, he helped propel the Avalanche to a much-needed win and gave the team something to build upon as they moved forward in the season.

It wasn’t just Rantanen’s scoring that stood out, though. His all-around game has been phenomenal this season. He’s consistently in the top 10 in the league in points, and his ability to create scoring chances, both for himself and his teammates, has been invaluable for the Avalanche. His vision and playmaking ability are often overshadowed by his goal-scoring, but the reality is that he’s an elite two-way player who can impact the game in a variety of ways. In addition to his offensive contributions, Rantanen has also been solid defensively, and his ability to play a 200-foot game has made him one of the most complete players in the league.

For the Avalanche, getting a performance like this from Rantanen was critical not just for the win but also for the team’s confidence. When your star player takes over a game like he did against the Kings, it can galvanize the entire roster. With injuries to key players still hampering the team, the Avalanche are going to need more of these performances from Rantanen if they are going to stay competitive in the Western Conference.

With the injury bug hitting the team early on, the Avs have had to lean on their depth players and the brilliance of their top stars to get by. Nathan MacKinnon, as always, has been excellent, and Cale Makar continues to show why he’s one of the most dynamic defensemen in the league. However, it is Rantanen’s continued rise that has been the most important storyline of the season thus far. He’s not just a goal-scorer anymore; he’s a true leader who is taking the team on his shoulders when they need him most.

As the season progresses, the Avalanche will look to build on this performance. They know that they have a lot of talent, but they also know that they need to play more consistently if they want to make a serious push for the Stanley Cup. Colorado’s success this season will likely depend on their ability to stay healthy, tighten up their play in all areas, and get continued contributions from their top players. Mikko Rantanen will undoubtedly be at the forefront of that effort, continuing to deliver impressive stats and jaw-dropping performances like the one he delivered against the Kings.

The game against Los Angeles served as a reminder of just how high the Avalanche’s ceiling is when they are firing on all cylinders. With Rantanen leading the charge, the team has the potential to be one of the most dominant in the league, but they will need to continue to improve and stay healthy if they are to reach their full potential.