Stars' Mikko Rantanen sends clear message about team's playoff readiness

The Stars winger says the team needs to improve its 5-on-5 offense and zone time ahead of the playoffs.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:36am

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Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen pointed to what the team needs to improve on heading into the NHL playoffs, after being defeated 2-0 by the Colorado Avalanche. Rantanen said the Stars need to work more on 5-on-5 offense and getting more zone time, which head coach Glen Gulutzan later agreed with. Rantanen also noted that the tight, low-scoring game against Colorado reflected what the playoffs will likely look like, and said the team needs to get used to the tighter officiating.

Why it matters

As the Stars prepare for the playoffs, Rantanen's comments highlight key areas the team needs to address in order to be successful. Improving 5-on-5 offense and zone time will be crucial in the tight, low-scoring games typical of the postseason, while adjusting to the playoff-style officiating will also be important.

The details

Rantanen explained that the Stars need to focus on generating more 5-on-5 offense and maintaining consistent pressure in the offensive zone. He noted that in the loss to Colorado, the team would get one chance but then struggle to sustain pressure, allowing the opposing team to chip the puck out. Gulutzan agreed with Rantanen's assessment, saying the team needs to 'manufacture' 5-on-5 offense in the final games before the playoffs.

  • The Stars lost 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Mikko Rantanen

A 29-year-old winger for the Dallas Stars who pointed out areas the team needs to improve on ahead of the playoffs.

Glen Gulutzan

The head coach of the Dallas Stars who agreed with Rantanen's assessment of the team's need to improve its 5-on-5 offense.

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What they’re saying

“Try to 5-on-5 offense, try to get more zone time. It kind of wanes down a little bit now, we get one chance and then, but we can't get like a constant pressure and the half ice game where the other team has to chip it out, but we just keep pushing.”

— Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars Winger

“5-on-5 offense is going to dry up a lot here in the next, and so you've got to find a way to manufacture, you know, you win the 5-on-5 game 1-0, and they did it tonight, and in the future we've got to have to do it too.”

— Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars Head Coach

What’s next

The Stars have five games remaining in the regular season to work on improving their 5-on-5 offense and zone time before the playoffs begin.

The takeaway

Rantanen's comments highlight the importance of the Stars addressing their 5-on-5 offensive struggles and learning to grind out tight, low-scoring games as they prepare for the playoffs. Improving in these areas will be crucial for the team's postseason success.