Mikko Rantanen is expected to miss time after returning from the Olympics with a lower-body injury. For bettors, expect reduced Dallas offensive firepower — consider taking the under on the Stars’ goals or backing the opponent’s moneyline in early games while Rantanen is out; monitor the lineup and injury reports before placing prop bets on him.
Stars likely to miss top scorer after Olympic injury
Mikko Rantanen is expected to miss some time for the Dallas Stars after returning from the Olympics with a lower-body injury. Coach Glen Gulutzan indicated Rantanen likely won't play in the first one or two games as he visits a doctor for evaluation.
Injury update and coach’s comments
Gulutzan said he "wouldn't expect him, certainly for the first game, or maybe in the first two." Rantanen, the Stars' leading scorer with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists), was injured in Finland’s 3-2 semifinal loss to Canada and did not play in Finland’s 6-1 bronze-medal win over Slovakia.
Immediate schedule and roster implications
The Stars host Seattle on Wednesday night, are home again Saturday against Nashville, then have a day off Sunday before consecutive road games. Missing Rantanen would reduce Dallas’ top-end scoring depth and could force lineup and power-play adjustments.
Olympic carryover for Stars players
Six Stars players returned with medals. Jake Oettinger served as the backup goalie for the United States, which won gold, while Thomas Harley earned silver with Canada. Four Stars — Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen — were part of Finland’s bronze-medal team.
Betting implications and what punters should watch
Rantanen’s absence should lower the Stars’ goals-for expectation. Punters may favor unders on Dallas’ total goals or consider opponent moneylines and spreads in the near term.
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Monitor daily practice reports and the official injury designation; player prop markets and power-play odds will shift quickly depending on Rantanen’s confirmed status.
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