People are really buzzing about the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the NHL community. Honestly, who doesn’t enjoy some high-stakes hockey, right? So, the community is now focusing on two players from different teams. Over on the r/hockey subreddit, u/honestnbafan shared this huge comparison between Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mikko Rantanen from the Dallas Stars. At first glance, it seems like Marner and Rantanen bring similar value in the NHL, particularly during the regular season.
Ever since Marner had that amazing breakout season in 2018-19, scoring an impressive 94 points, the two wingers have been putting up almost the same point production when you look at an 82-game pace. According to the social media post, Marner has reached 101 points with 30 goals and 71 assists, while Rantanen is close behind at 98 points, featuring 41 goals and 57 assists. The main difference here is in style — Marner is the top playmaker, whereas Rantanen adds more goal-scoring power. It looks like any trade between the two would’ve depended on what each team needed, rather than a huge difference in talent or impact.
Although if the trade had happened, it could’ve shifted many narratives. But the postseason stats paint a completely different picture. Again, as per the social media post, Rantanen’s playoff numbers are pretty impressive — he’s got 111 points per 82 games, including 41 goals and 70 assists. In comparison, Marner’s pace is at 73 points, with 15 goals and 58 assists. Actually, Marner’s goal rate in the playoffs drops from 30 during the regular season to only 15 in the postseason.
That kind of drop-off, especially from a top-line forward with a hefty cap hit, really stirs up criticism about his performances in crucial moments — and it seems like that criticism just keeps getting louder with every early exit for Toronto. In the meantime, Mikko Rantanen has kept up — and even stepped up — his performance in the playoffs, playing a key role in Colorado winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 and showing he can deliver when it matters most.
NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Stanley Cup Playoffs-Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars Apr 28, 2025 Dallas, Texas, USA Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen 96 waves to the fans after the Stars win over the Colorado Avalanche in game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Dallas American Airlines Center Texas USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeromexMironx 20250428_jpm_an4_M24616
Even though Mitch Marner might be committed to Toronto or see the team’s potential, the difference in playoff performance really highlights why making that move could have been good for the Maple Leafs. With all the eyes on this franchise due to its postseason struggles, Rantanen stepping up when it counts could have given Toronto the boost it really needs. How’s Rantanen been doing in the playoffs this season?
Mikko Rantanen is carrying the Dallas Stars to success
Mikko Rantanen has really changed the game for the Dallas Stars in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. So, he got traded twice this season—first from Colorado to Carolina, and then off to Dallas. But you know what? He adjusted really fast and turned into a powerhouse on the ice. In the first-round series against his old team, the Colorado Avalanche, Rantanen really shined by scoring a hat trick in the third period of Game 7. His incredible performance helped the Stars pull off a comeback victory and move on to the second round.
Rantanen has really stepped up his game during the playoffs. He scored hat tricks in consecutive games and topped the league in goals and points throughout the playoffs. He’s really made a difference in the Stars’ offense, especially in Game 3 of the second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets, where he scored a goal and added two assists.
The forward’s amazing performance has really helped Dallas make a deep playoff run and has also put him in the spotlight as a top contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy. His impressive postseason run really highlights how well he performs under pressure and adjusts to new situations, making his mark as one of the top forwards in the NHL. Rantanen’s influence on the Stars really shows how important those midseason pickups can be and how they can change a team’s path in the playoffs.
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