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How the Winnipeg Jets limit Mikko Rantanen after the hat trick in Game 1 – Hockey Writer –

The story of the Stanley Cup playoffs is Mikko Rantanen, which is not particularly close. He won a hat-trick, allowing the Dallas Stars to beat the first game Winnipeg Jets 3-2, just part of his time-honored game. Rantanen played a four-pointer against Colorado Avalanche in Game 7, and like his latest performance, he scored all three goals in a period.

Related: 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Hub

He scored eight goals in four games, a good example of why the Carolina Hurricanes made him take action. This is why the star takes a big move on the trade deadline to get him older and then spend a lot of time keeping him long term. Rantanen is the playoffs difference maker.

Players like Lantanan need to have in-depth playoffs. The team needs a star player who can be single, and the star now has a game in Rantanen. The Jets surpassed them in Game 1, and that’s OK, as Rantanin took over in Phase 2.

What makes it hard for Lantanan to stop is his ability to score in many ways. For example, see his hat trick to target the jet. His first goal came from him powering the net and stabbing the loose puck into the goal, then deflecting the puck from the shot, and finally, a powerful shot on the quick pass. All of this makes it impossible for the Jets to find a way to stop him, so that’s what they tried.

Add size to defense

The playoffs are when physical games take over. Power forwards in a skill-based league have gone a long way. That’s why Matthew Tkachuk is the ideal player for the playoffs, something the Florida Panthers have learned in person in recent seasons. Rantanen scored six goals in two games, but stood out when he was online and finished scoring opportunities in dirty areas.

The Jets, especially in defense, must match their strength. They have to keep him away from high risk and make sure he can’t find loose pucks or take advantage of his 6-foot-4-foot, 215-pound frame. The best way is to add more physical form to the defense.

The question is where the Jets can find the size, especially when it comes to defense. Josh Morrissey is expected to return to the roster, and they can use him considering the 0-4 of the power play. The problem is that he is not a physical defender. Logan Stanley was, but didn’t tell him when he would be back. It makes Luke Schenn and Dylan Samberg the two best options for the Jets, and considering they don’t usually play the first few minutes, it’s a tall task for both of them.

Scenes that help Hellebuyck

Rantanen’s shots were great, and for those watching the playoffs, it was obvious. That’s some of his goals so far. However, there are two interesting Nuggets about his goals. First, they appear based on only three areas of the NHL Edge: the high grace area, the high slot and the confrontation circle to the left of the goalkeeper. Both, most of his slot goals were deflecting pucks that goalkeepers couldn’t pick up.

Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck covers hockey against Dallas Stars in the first phase of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs (Cameron Bartlett/Getty Images)

If Rantanen is going to score, it will likely shoot through traffic, which is his redirected shot from the ground, or bounce back from a bunch of dead bodies near the goal. Most importantly, these types are difficult for Connor Hellebuyck to pick up and save.

The Jets sound crazy and must dare Rantanen to shoot pucks online. However, they have to do this with the footage that Hellebuyck can see and expect. Hellebuyck excelled in the playoffs, standing out from three games, almost putting the series against the St. Louis Blues, but he could save those savings. If he could see the puck well, he would have stopped drastically even if the shot was from Lantanan.

Jets must stop passes to Lantanen

If it’s not the lens, it’s to find an open Lantanner pass that usually leads to a goal. The third goal in the first game was in the power game, and Rantanen was opened in the standoff circle due to Matt Duchene’s cross-pass. It took Hellebuyck out of position and ended up being the winner of the 3-2 match.

The Jets had to play the pass lane and, more importantly, stop the stars from discovering him in the offensive zone. Duchene has become the main facilitator of Rantanen, and Roope Hintz has become the organizer. If the Jets stop these players, the Lantanan will be restricted by default.

This will force Rantanen to win the passer’s game. He can still do that as he did throughout the playoffs and had seven assists and multiple big games with his founding of Wyatt Johnston or Tyler Seguin. But that’s how the Jets will limit Rantanen and stop him from defeating them.

How the Jets must attack change

When was the worst extension of Lantanan this season, perhaps his career? After he was traded to the Hurricanes, he scored two goals and four assists in 13 games. Why did his work fall down, making him a non-factor in an otherwise powerful offensive? This is because hurricanes play a role in possession and hockey control, with better mass than quantity. Rantanen’s best job is that he can generate more offenses and shoot on goals as the game speeds up.

So, what should the jet consider? They have to slow down the game and focus on winning. They can make this series fly high, or they will be defeated by Rantanin. Instead, if they own the puck and look for quality shots, they will be frustrated with Rantanen and control the series.

Once the puck is dropped and the game begins, it is easier said than done. It’s fun to push the puck onto the ice and try to speed up, especially against the stars, who have a defense that loves to play actively. However, the Jets must stick to the game plan to win this series or Landaning will win the game.

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