Mikko Rantanen gets the second NHL star of the week

Mikko Rantanen was awarded the NHL’s second star for the week ending November 24th. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski received the first star and Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll received the third.

The 28-year-old’s seven points (2G, 5A) helped the Avalanche win their last three road games. He scored his fifth power play goal of the season in a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. He picked up his second four-point game of the season, the 24th of his career, against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

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The Avs forward scored 15 points in October and struggled at the end of the month and into November before Artturi Lehkonen returned to the lineup on November 5. He has only gone scoreless in three games this month and has two more points than he had four games left last month.

Rantanen is No. 4 in the league with 32 points and is second with 4 game-winning goals. He will represent Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

Contract negotiations have been in the spotlight as the elite right winger is expected to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Read more from Aarif Deen on the status of Rantanen’s next deal -> Notebook: What’s going on with Mikko Rantanen’s contract extension talks?

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