The NHL trade deadline is behind us, and now it’s full steam ahead toward the postseason. We started the road to the playoffs with a bang as the Dallas Stars (41-20-2) battled the Edmonton Oilers (37-22-4) in a Western Conference Final rematch.

Stars: Rantanen wore No. 96 after being traded to the Stars by Carolina at Friday’s trade deadline and then signing an eight-year deal worth $96 million. He picked up an assist on the Stars’ opening goal by Johnston and then scored his 28th on a third-period power play.

The Dallas Stars shocked hockey fans with their blockbuster trade for Carolina forward Mikko Rantanen on Friday.According to multiple reports, Dallas

The Stars have signed young forward Wyatt Johnston to a massive contract extension just after trading for Mikko Rantanen

Rantanen registered his first point with Dallas -- an assist -- on the power play at 5:48 of the first period to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. He sent a pass from the right face-off circle to Jason Robertson in front, who tipped it on net and Wyatt Johnston scored on the rebound.

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz was hit by a puck shot by Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique and left the ice with a towel pressed against his bloody face Saturday night. Hintz extended his stick toward Henrique,

Since his debut season in 2022-23, it’s been clear that the Dallas Stars’ future revolves around forward Wyatt Johnston. He was the team’s leading scorer in just his second NHL season. He’s a favorite to become its next captain after Jamie Benn.

According to ESPN hockey reporter Emily Kaplan, the Stars traded for the Carolina Hurricanes' Finnish right wing Mikko Rantanen and signed him to an 8-year extension. In return, Dallas is sending Carolina two first-round picks, two third-round picks and center Logan Stankoven, according to Kaplan.

Dallas fell into a sizable hole and couldn’t recover against Edmonton, but saw plenty of positives from its newest acquisition

The Stars are reportedly willing to offer Mikko Rantanen a large chunk of change to sign in Dallas before the NHL Trade Deadline.

The Stars are swinging for the fences by acquiring and signing Mikko Rantanen while the Hurricanes appear content to hit singles.