DALLAS — Mikko Rantanen capped a hat trick with a power-play goal at 3:52 of overtime, and the Dallas Stars defeated the Boston Bruins 3-2 at American Airlines Center on Tuesday. The result snapped the Boston Bruins’ five-game winning streak.
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 20: Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins on October 20, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/DFWsportsonline)
The winning sequence began with a Boston penalty. In overtime, a penalty was called on Pavel Zacha for slashing, giving Dallas a 4-on-3 advantage. Rantanen received a pass from Miro Heiskanen near the goal line, slowly took the puck to the net and won it with a backhand to the glove side.
How the scoring unfolded
Boston struck first. Poitras had given Boston a 1-0 lead at 2:09 of the first period. He scored with a one-timer from the left circle off a cross-ice pass by Frederic Brunet.
Dallas answered early in the second. Rantanen pulled Dallas even, making it 1-1 at 2:50 of the second period by burying the rebound of Robertson’s poke attempt. Boston regained the lead less than five minutes later when Hagens put the Bruins back in front 2-1 at 7:30. Casey Mittelstadt carried the puck out from behind the net and sent a pass to the crease from the right side before Hagens redirected the puck over Oettinger’s pad.
The tying goal came midway through the third. Rantanen tied it 2-2 at 13:38 of the third period. Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy blocked a Roope Hintz shot in the slot, and the puck deflected to Rantanen in the face-off circle, where he snapped a shot to the near side.
Goaltending and momentum
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 20: Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa (12) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins on October 20, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/DFWsportsonline)
Both goaltenders had strong nights. Boston’s Jeremy Swayman earlier in the extra period stopped Wyatt Johnston on two breakaway attempts 10 seconds apart and finished with 22 saves. At the other end, Jake Oettinger made 18 saves for the Stars.
The late stages tilted toward Dallas. According to SB Nation’s recap, the Bruins went the final 13ish minutes of regulation and all of overtime without recording a shot on goal. Dallas outshot Boston 25-20 overall and went 1-for-3 on the power play, while Boston went 0-for-4. The Bruins played the more physical game, out-hitting Dallas 23-18 and blocking 22 shots to the Stars’ 13, but also committed 15 giveaways to Dallas’ 8. Faceoffs were nearly even, 27-26 in Boston’s favor.
Dallas’ penalty kill has been a consistent factor; the Stars have allowed one power-play goal on opponents’ last 25 chances. Bruins coach Marco Sturm said Dallas was very aggressive on the kill.
Milestones and records
It was the 11th three-goal game of his career and his first in the regular season since he joined the Stars. He became the fourth Stars player to finish a hat trick in overtime since the franchise moved to Dallas for the 1993-94 season. Jason Robertson had two assists on the night.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan credited the opponent afterward, saying, “They’re a hard team to play. You’ve got to find a way.”
Standings and what’s next
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 20: Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins on October 20, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/DFWsportsonline)
With the win, Dallas improved to 5-3-1 and has won three straight. The Bruins (7-2-1) concluded their Western Conference trip at 3-0-1. The Stars return to action Thursday, Oct. 22, hosting the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m. CT.
