Dallas — The Boston Bruins’ five-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center, where the Dallas Stars secured a 3-2 overtime victory. Mikko Rantanen completed his hat trick with a power-play goal 1:08 into the extra period, lifting the Stars past a Bruins squad that had dominated for much of the game but fatigued near the conclusion of an extended road trip.
Rantanen’s game-winning goal featured deft stickhandling as he moved in from the right circle before skillfully backhanding the puck over goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s glove. Swayman made 22 saves, including two breakaway stops in overtime against Dallas’s Wyatt Johnston, but could not deny Rantanen’s final strike.
Despite the loss, the Bruins collected seven of a possible eight points over their 11-day journey, which included a sweep of three games in California — a first for the team under the current coaching regime. Goaltender Swayman emphasized the significance of the road trip’s success and the team’s strong unity. “It’s a hard feat and it’s hard to win this league,” he said. “We’re all laughing like it’s been the best trip ever just because of the camaraderie, the way we’ve competed and been able to stick together every single day.”
Boston opened the scoring early through Matt Poitras, who has now extended his point streak to four games while excelling in his new role as the Bruins’ fourth-line center. Dallas’s Rantanen answered with his first of the night in the second period. James Hagens put Boston back ahead with an assertive goal at the blue paint, using strong positioning against Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen, one of the league’s top defenders. Rantanen then tied the game late in the third period on a deflection, setting up the overtime conclusion.
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm praised his team’s effort despite the result, acknowledging the disappointment in giving up the extra point but highlighting the overall success of the trip. “I really, really liked our effort tonight,” Sturm said.
The contest featured a controversial moment in overtime when Pavel Zacha was penalized for slashing Thomas Harley, a call that sparked confusion given the officiating standards during regulation, which Sturm admitted surprised him. Boston’s power play struggled once again, going 0 for 4, continuing its search for consistency.
On the individual front, Nikita Zadorov made a strong impact upon returning from a one-game benching. Young players such as Poitras, Hagens, and Frederic Brunet, who assisted on Poitras’s goal, contributed positively, signaling depth in the Bruins’ lineup.
Following the game, the Bruins announced the signing of forward Marat Khusnutdinov to a three-year contract extension beginning next season. The deal is valued at $3.95 million annually through 2029-30. Acquired from Minnesota in March 2025, Khusnutdinov set career highs last season with 15 goals, 18 assists, and 33 points. He has already totaled two goals and three assists so far this campaign.