Mikko Rantanen limps back from Olympic bronze with the Finns nursing a lower-body injury that sidelines Dallas' points leader for at least two weeks. Coach Gulutzan confirms it's more than a game or two, but the Stars expect their $96 million sniper to return before the April 15 finale against Buffalo. With 25 games left and third place in the Central on the line, guys like Hintz and Heiskanen step up while the Big D locker room braces for the post-Olympic grind.

Esa Lindell rejoins the Dallas blue line at Tuesday's practice as the Stars shake off Olympic rust. Coach Glen Gulutzan highlights Lindell's return alongside Heiskanen, signaling a defensive boost for the final push. Teams like Dallas lean hard on these vets when the playoff race tightens, and Lindell's timing couldn't be better.

Finland's squad of NHL heavyweights storms back from semifinal heartbreak to dominate Slovakia in the bronze medal clash at Milano Cortina. Juuse Saros stones 30 shots while Erik Haula and Joel Armia light the lamp in a third-period barrage that buries any doubts. Even without Mikko Rantanen's firepower due to injury, guys like Sebastian Aho, Miro Heiskanen, and Roope Hintz prove this group's depth runs deep for the long haul back to NHL rinks.

Finland dominates Slovakia 6-1 in the bronze medal game, with Sebastian Aho opening the scoring and Miro Heiskanen anchoring a stifling defense that leaves the Slovaks chasing shadows. Erik Haula and Roope Hintz pile on in the third as Juuse Saros stones Thomas Tatar's lone response, turning a tight affair into a rout. Slovakia fights valiantly despite fewer NHL stars, but Finland's depth proves too much after their semifinal heartbreak against Canada.

Finland shakes off that brutal semifinal collapse against Canada and reminds everyone why their defense travels like fine wine to these Olympics. Sebastian Aho and Erik Haula light the lamp early, but it's the third-period barrage from Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko that buries Slovakia for good in this 6-1 rout. With NHL stars like Miro Heiskanen anchoring the blue line, the Finns extend their medal streak in these pro-laden tournaments, proving grit trumps flash every time.

Finland's Olympic hopes hung by a thread when they trailed Switzerland 2-0 with six minutes remaining in regulation at Milano Cortina 2026. Defenceman Miro Heiskanen delivered the equalizer with just over a minute left, forcing overtime and setting the stage for Artturi Lehkonen's breakaway winner at 3:23 of the extra frame. The reigning Olympic champions' dramatic 3-2 comeback victory advances them to the semifinals against Canada, keeping their pursuit of back-to-back gold medals alive.