The Dallas Stars are once again proving why they’re a legitimate threat in the Western Conference, and a big reason for that is the dynamic duo of Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston. These two have quickly found chemistry, and it’s showing up all over the scoresheet.
Rantanen, one of the most offensively gifted players in the league, is putting together another elite season. He’s already stacked up 11 goals and 23 assists, which puts him on pace for a 30-plus goal, 70-assist campaign. That’s top-tier production, and it’s exactly what the Stars were hoping for when they added him to the mix.
What’s made Rantanen’s transition to Dallas even smoother is his partnership with Johnston. The contrast in their shooting hands-Rantanen being a lefty and Johnston a righty-has created a natural synergy on the ice. It’s a subtle detail, but it makes a real difference in how plays develop and how quickly they can find each other in the offensive zone.
Rantanen himself pointed to that dynamic, saying it reminds him of his time playing with Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado. That’s high praise. He also acknowledged the success he had last season skating alongside Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund-both lefties-but noted that having a right-handed linemate like Johnston gives him more familiar looks and passing lanes.
“[Johnston] is a really good player. He can score goals.
We find each other pretty well,” Rantanen said. “Obviously, it takes some time.
We haven't played that long together, so we can still get better, but it's going in a good direction.”
That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league. If this pairing is still building chemistry and already producing at this level, the ceiling is sky-high.
But it’s not all good news in Dallas. The team took a significant hit this week when veteran forward Tyler Seguin went down with an ACL injury during Tuesday night’s game at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers. The Stars have confirmed that Seguin could miss the rest of the 2025-26 season.
It’s a tough blow. Seguin, one of the longest-tenured players on the roster, had been quietly putting together a solid campaign with seven goals and 10 assists in 27 games. His leadership, versatility, and experience will be missed-not just on the scoresheet, but in the locker room as well.
With Seguin sidelined, the pressure will fall even more on players like Rantanen and Johnston to keep the offense humming and the Stars in the hunt. This is a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, and while losing a core piece like Seguin is never easy, Dallas still has the firepower to make a serious run.
Next up, the Stars will head to New Jersey to face the Devils at Prudential Center. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m.
ET on November 3. All eyes will be on Rantanen and Johnston to see if they can keep the momentum rolling-and help Dallas navigate this next chapter without one of their key veterans.