Mikko Rantanen was held out of Team Finland’s bronze medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina due to a lower-body injury sustained during the semifinal matchup against Team Canada last week. Despite Finland’s 6-1 victory over Slovakia to secure third place, Rantanen’s status remains uncertain as he is expected to miss some upcoming Dallas Stars games, according to head coach Glen Gulutzan.
Gulutzan addressed the situation Tuesday in Dallas, stating,
“I don’t have a full update,”
and added,
“I would say to you that we are going to miss him for a little bit here, but I don’t know quite [the extent]. He’s going to see [the doctor] today, but I wouldn’t expect him for the first game or maybe even the first two.”
Details on Rantanen’s Injury and Initial Reports
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report that Rantanen was injured during the third period of Finland’s narrow 3-2 loss to Canada, a game in which Finland held a 2-0 lead before conceding three goals. Friedman noted,
“Rantanen was hurt in third period of yesterday’s game vs Canada. Will be re-evaluated when he returns to Dallas regarding severity and timeline of injury,”
and added,
“Apparently not concern this is season-ending…but exact severity TBD.”
Importance of Rantanen to Dallas Stars’ Playoff Hopes
The Dallas Stars, currently positioned at 34-14-9 with 25 games remaining, are poised to secure a playoff spot and aim for their fourth straight Western Conference Final appearance. The team’s road to the Stanley Cup will be challenging, especially within their strong Central Division. The Minnesota Wild, featuring three recent Olympic gold medalists—Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, and Matt Boldy—represent a significant obstacle and are likely the Stars’ first-round opponent.
If Dallas overcomes the Wild, they will likely face the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche next, who are pursuing historic success in the 2025-26 season. This difficult path makes Rantanen’s presence essential. As the team’s top scorer with 69 points in 54 games, he plays a critical role in one of the NHL’s most formidable offensive lines.
Outlook and Upcoming Games for the Stars
The hope is that Rantanen will only miss a few games before returning to the lineup, but with a doctor’s evaluation scheduled this week, the timeline is still unknown. The Stars entered the Olympic hiatus on a six-game winning streak and plan to maintain momentum during a two-game homestand this week against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday and the Nashville Predators on Saturday.
Rantanen’s injury update will be closely watched, as his speed and skill could prove decisive for the Stars as they aim to solidify their playoff positioning and contend for the Stanley Cup amidst stiff competition.
Rantanen was hurt in third period of yesterday's game vs Canada.
Will be re-evaluated when he returns to Dallas regarding severity & timeline of injury.
EDIT: Apparently not concern this is season-ending…but exact severity TBD https://t.co/GxivYKkYqz
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 21, 2026
