Mikko Rantanen Carries Stars Into Second Round, When They Could Get Back Heiskanen And Robertson

Mikko Rantanen carried the Dallas Stars past his former team in the first round of the NHL playoffs, punctuated with a hat trick that was part of his historic four-point third period in Game 7.

Now the Stars could soon be getting back two players who were part of their deep runs the past two postseasons before Rantanen was acquired in a deadline trade in March and promptly signed a 96 million, eight-year contract extension.

Top defenseman Miro Heiskanen and prolific forward Jason Robertson, their leading goal scorer in the regular season, missed the seven-game series against Colorado because of lower-body injuries.

Heiskanen hasn't played since Jan. 28, and Robertson got hurt in the regular-season finale 2 1/2 weeks ago. Both are experienced 25-year-old players.

"I consider them both day to day now but, you know, there's still some hurdles," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said after their 4-2 series-clinching win over Colorado on Saturday night. "I believe you're going to see them both play in the second round. I don't know whether it's going to be Game 1, Game 3 or Game 5."