Game Day Guide: Stars at Canucks
Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on the matchup against Vancouver
When: Sunday, March 9 at 8:00 PM CT
Where: Rogers Arena
TV: Victory+
Radio: The Ticket 96.7-FM, 1310-AM
Live Stats: NHL Game Center
Watch Party: Sidecar Social
Mikko Rantanen (6-5—11, 7 GP)
Jamie Benn (17-19—36, 42 GP)
Mikael Granlund (3-4—7, 5 GP)
Mikael Granlund (9-22—31, 33 GP)
Mikko Rantanen (14-16—30, 19 GP)
Tyler Seguin (10-20—30, 30 GP)
The Stars acquired forward Rantanen on March 7 from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Logan Stankoven, a 2026 first-round pick (top 10 protected, would convey to an unprotected 2027 first-round pick), a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick (top 10 protected, would convey to an unprotected 2029 first-round pick). Additionally, the Stars signed Rantanen to an eight-year contract extension, which begins in the 2025-26 season and runs through the 2032-33 season. The eight-year contract extension is worth $96 million and has an average annual value (AAV) of $12 million.
Rantanen shares 12th in the NHL with 70 points (27-43—70) in 62 games during the 2024-25 campaign with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Colorado Avalanche. He spent his first 49 games of the 2024-25 campaign with Colorado, recording 64 points (25-39—64). The forward led the team in goals (25) and ranked second in assists (39) and points (64) prior to being traded to Carolina on Jan. 24, 2025. Since being acquired by Carolina, he has added six points (2-4—6) in 13 contests. During his career, Rantanen has tallied 687 points (289-398—687) in 632 games played. Among Finnish-born players in NHL history, the forward ranks fourth in goals (289), seventh in points (687) and 10th in assists (398).
Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk has three goals over his last seven games and five points (4-1—5) in his last 10 games. DeBrusk tops Vancouver skaters in goals (22) and is fourth in points (36) and eighth in assists (14). In his career against Dallas, DeBrusk has registered four points (2-2—4) in 11 games played, including tallying a goal in the two teams previous meeting on Jan. 31.
Rantanen’s whirlwind week will only get crazier Saturday and Sunday.
Rantanen was traded from Colorado to the Carolina Hurricanes in February, and then moved to the Stars just before Friday’s trade deadline. To get that deal done, Rantanen had to sign an eight-year contract extension with Dallas, so he has been through a lot. He flew from Carolina to Edmonton on Friday night, played for the first time with the Stars on Saturday and posted two points (one goal, one assist) and five shots in 21:56 of ice time.
Now, he will play Sunday in Vancouver as the Stars dive into the second night of a back-to-back.
“Crazy,” said the 28-year-old winger.
But as hectic as the week has been, Rantanen said he felt at home with the Stars. Dallas has four other Finnish players, and also has former Colorado teammate Matt Duchene, so weaving himself into the fabric of his new team should be easy, Rantanen said.
“They’re a very, very good team,” Rantanen said Saturday morning. “A lot of Finns on the team, so a lot of friends from before already, which makes the transition always a little bit easier when you know some guys. Obviously [I] have played against them a lot, so they’re familiar faces.”
Stars coach Pete DeBoer said he would try to use the connections, and quickly had Rantanen on a top line with Hintz and Robertson.
“I think our Finnish connection here with him was a big part of this,” DeBoer said. “I’m not sure you sign, sight unseen, with a team for eight years unless you’re comfortable. I know he’s been to Dallas, but he just spent two weeks with the big group of Finnish guys that we have here and I know they’re all real close. I know they played a part in this. I think that’s going to really speed up him jumping in here and helping us out.”
Rantanen brings an immense amount of respect with him. Dallas has had a rivalry with Colorado and faced Rantanen in the playoffs twice in the past five years. Goalie Jake Oettinger said he was impressed by the big forward.
“He’s a game-breaker. He’s a guy you see circled when you play against him. He’s so dangerous,” Oettinger said. “I didn’t realize how big he is until I met him in person today. The fact that he’s going to be wearing green for the next eight years is incredible. We’re really lucky to have him.”
And by adding a player who has 101 points in 81 playoff games, it’s clear Stars management is saying the time to try to win it all is right now.
“It’s incredible,” Oettinger said. “As a player, there’s nothing more you can ask for than the investment by management. They just showed us they think we can win the Stanley Cup, so there’s nothing more you can ask for. Now it’s on us to make their bet worth it.”
DeBoer said Rantanen is one of the best players in the league.
“You can count on two hands the guys that are on that list in the league,” DeBoer said. “The guys on that list don’t become available. I think when they do, Jim [Nill] said it, you have to take a really hard look at getting a guy like that.”
Rantanen was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer and could not work out an extension with Colorado, so the Avalanche traded him to Carolina. The Hurricanes also struggled in negotiations. Rantanen said he thought the communication with Dallas was different. He said he did his research and decided this is a place he can thrive.
“The trade came as a surprise, and then you have to look at all the angles of your life and on the ice,” Rantanen said of the original trade to Carolina. “Looking at it, Dallas was maybe a better fit for me. I had to think about myself and what fits for me. That’s why it led to Dallas.”
In addition to being friends with many Stars, Rantanen said he respects the entire organization and how it plays. The Stars beat Colorado in six games in the playoffs last season.
“They beat us last year with the Avs and dropped us in the second round,” Rantanen said. “It’s a lot of good players, a deep team. It’s exciting because they’ve been very close the last two years to get to the finals. They’ve been right there. Hopefully, I can help them try to get into those games again.”
13
The Canucks are one of four teams in the NHL who have 13 home wins or fewer. Vancouver sits at 13-10-7 at home.
11
Vancouver leads the NHL in OT/SO losses with 11. The Canucks are 6-11 in games that have gone past regulation.
.571
The Stars are tied with Vegas for the NHL lead in winning percentage when trailing first at .571 (16-11-1).
“He’s been exceptional when he’s gone in. The assignments he gets are usually really tough assignments. It’s a back-to-back, or we’re on the road and it’s three in four [nights], the team is really tired and we’re playing a really good opponent. He has to come in and face a lot of rubber. He’s risen to the occasion every time this year.”
-Stars coach Pete DeBoer on backup goalie Casey DeSmith, who is 9-2-0 in his past 11 decisions with a 2.32 GAA and .922 save percentage
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on X @MikeHeika.
Five Points 5️⃣
Players To Watch 👀
First Shift 🏒
Key Numbers 🔢
He Said It 📢
Related Content
News Feed
Stats Against Opponent ✍
Upcoming Games 📅
Dallas Stars sign forward Wyatt Johnston to a five-year, $42 million contract extension
Dallas Stars acquire forward Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes, sign to eight-year contract extension
Going all in: Mikko Rantanen trade provides strong boost in Stars’ Cup pursuit
DAL at EDM | Recap
DAL@EDM: Rantanen scores goal against Stuart Skinner
DAL@EDM: Johnston scores goal against Stuart Skinner
Heika’s Take: Rantanen shines as Stars stumble in 5-4 loss to Oilers
Dallas Stars sign forward Wyatt Johnston to a five-year, $42 million contract extension
Game Day Guide: Stars at Oilers
Going all in: Mikko Rantanen trade provides strong boost in Stars’ Cup pursuit
Dallas Stars acquire forward Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes, sign to eight-year contract extension
Heika’s Take: Stars rally from early deficit, fend off Flames in overtime
Game Day Guide: Stars vs Flames
Building character and having fun: Stars taking impressive strides amidst adversity
Dallas Stars to participate in animated programming on March 16
Heika’s Take: Stars’ spectacular run continues with crazy win over Devils
Game Day Guide: Stars vs Devils
Roope Hintz named NHL’s Second Star of the Week
Heika’s Take: Johnston’s hat trick helps Stars “find a way” in win over Blues
Game Day Guide: Stars vs Blues
Heika’s Take: Stankoven shines as Stars rout Kings in return to home ice
Game Day Guide: Stars vs Kings
Dallas Stars to host annual Pride Night on Tuesday, March 4 vs. New Jersey Devils
Heika’s Take: Stars can’t find tying goal late in back-and-forth loss to Blue Jackets
|
Dallas Stars
|
Vancouver Canucks
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Record
|
41-19-2 (17-12-1 Away)
|
29-22-11 (13-10-7 Home)
|
|
Rank
|
84 Points (2nd in Central)
|
69 Points (4th in Pacific)
|
|
Power Play
|
23.3% (44-for-189)
|
22.5% (39-for-173)
|
|
Penalty Kill
|
84.3% (140-for-166)
|
81.8% (144-for-176)
|
|
Last 10 Games
|
7-2-1
|
6-4-0
|
|
Active Streaks
|
Leading Scorers
|
|---|---|
|
Mikko Rantanen (6-5—11, 7 GP) |
Jamie Benn (17-19—36, 42 GP) |
|
Mikael Granlund (3-4—7, 5 GP) |
Mikael Granlund (9-22—31, 33 GP) |
|
Roope Hintz (4-3—7, 3 GP)
|
Mikko Rantanen (14-16—30, 19 GP) |
|
Jason Robertson (3-4—7, 3 GP)
|
Tyler Seguin (10-20—30, 30 GP) |
|
Opponent
|
Date
|
Time
|
Location
|
Stream
|
|
Winnipeg Jets
|
March 14
|
7:00 PM CT
|
Canada Life Centre
|
|
|
Colorado Avalanche
|
March 16
|
2:30 PM CT
|
Ball Arena
|
|
|
March 18
|
7:00 PM CT
|
American Airlines Center
|
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Mikael Granlund scored his first goal for the Stars and Dallas beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Sunday night.
Dallas picked up both the Finnish center and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks for first- and third-round picks on Feb. 1.
Thomas Harley, Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen also scored for the Stars, who were coming off a 5-4 loss to the Oilers. Ceci and Matt Duchene each contributed a pair of assists.
Dallas goalie Casey DeSmith — who played for the Canucks last season — stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced in his return to Vancouver.
Derek Forbort had the lone goal for the Canucks, scoring for the first time since Feb. 16, 2023, when he was a member of the Boston Bruins.
Vancouver got 15 saves from Kevin Lankinen and missed the services of captain Quinn Hughes (lower-body injury) for a third straight game.
Takeaways
Stars: The team played without star center Roope Hintz, who took a puck to the face in the Stars’ 5-4 loss to the Oilers on Saturday. Head coach Pete DeBoer said before puck drop that Hintz has flown back to back to Dallas and is getting more imaging done on the injury.
Canucks: The result did nothing to improve Vancouver’s playoff picture. The club remains locked in a battle with the Calgary Flames, Utah Hockey Club and St. Louis Blues for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Key moment
Lankinen denied Ceci with his blocker as time ticked down in the second period, but the rebound popped out to Granlund and he ripped a shot over the goalie’s shoulder with just 25.9 seconds left to give the Stars a 2-1 lead. It was his first goal in 13 games.
Key stat
Robertson extended his point streak to eight games with eight goals and seven assists across the stretch.
Up next
The Stars visit Winnipeg on Friday. The Canucks wrap up a four-game homestand against Montreal on Tuesday.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
The Chicago Blackhawks must be loving what they’re seeing from one of their prospects, Nick Lardis. This 19-year-old 2023 third round pick has been absolutely lighting up the OHL this season and has joined some incredible company with his goal scoring abilities.
Lardis became just the eighth player in OHL history to score 70 goals in a season, and there have been so many great and talented players to play in that league. He is only the third player to reach the 70 goal mark in the last 35 seasons, joining John Tavares (72 goals) and Eric Lindros (71 goals).
Lardis has 70 goals and 113 points in 61 games this season for the Brantford Bulldogs. He started his OHL career on the Peterborough Petes and played there for a season and a half before being traded to the Bulldogs where he immediately broke out and hasn’t looked back.
The reason I can see why Lardis slipped through the cracks all the way to 67th in the 2023 draft was him scoring 37 goals and 65 points in 69 games in his draft year. While his second half was extremely better in Brantford, he didn’t put a full season together until after the Blackhawks drafted him.
Sometimes players who can produce well in the CHL or other junior leagues before turning pro can’t always transfer it over. With this goal scoring ability, it’s hard to think that Lardis isn’t going to figure it out fairly quickly once heading to the AHL and then the NHL hopefully soon after. He is a great piece that the Blackhawks have at their disposal.
Lardis still has a few more games to reach 73 goals or higher and is already well past finishing at over a goal-per-game pace.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.
GDT: Stars @ Canucks (8 PM CT)
Another day, another venue named Rogers. The Stars meet the Canucks in BC.
GAME DAY: Dallas Stars @ Vancouver Canucks
WHERE: Rogers Arena (Vancouver, BC)
PUCK DROP: 8 PM
TV: Victory+
RADIO: The Ticket 96.7-FM, 1310-AM
LIVE STATS: NHL Game Center
OFFICIAL WATCH PARTY: Sidecar Social, 5100 Belt Line Road, Addison, TX 75254
via GIPHY
