Mikko Rantanen scores 46th of the season for the Colorado Avalanche in 5-1 win against Detroit Red Wings

Mikko Rantanen continues to prove himself as one of the NHL's top players, scoring his 46th goal of the season in the Colorado Avalanche's 5-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Finnish winger has been on fire this season, registering 28 assists in addition to his impressive goal-scoring tally.

Rantanen's goal came in the third period of the game as he beat Detroit goaltender Ville Husso with a wrist shot from the slot. It was his 11th game-winning goal of the season.

Rantanen's performances this season have been a major factor in the Avalanche's success. With a record of 40-22-6, the team is currently in second place in the West Division and has clinched a playoff spot. Rantanen has been particularly effective on the power play, scoring 16 goals with a man advantage, the highest in the league.

As the Avalanche look to make a deep playoff run, Mikko Rantanen will undoubtedly be a key player for the team. His ability to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates will be crucial in determining the team's success. If he can continue his impressive play, there's no doubt that the Avalanche will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.

Mikko Rantanen: Rising Star of the NHL

Mikko Rantanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a right-winger for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He was born on October 29, 1996, in Nousiainen, Finland, and began playing hockey at a young age.

Rantanen's professional career started in 2014 when he joined TPS Turku of the Finnish Liiga. He spent two seasons with the team, scoring 28 goals and 46 assists in 93 games. In 2015, he was drafted 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.

Rantanen made his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season and quickly established himself as a rising star in the league. In his rookie season, he scored 20 goals and 18 assists in 75 games and finished sixth in the Calder Trophy voting for the NHL's top rookie.

Since then, Mikko Rantanen has continued to improve each season. He had a breakout year during the 2018-19 season, scoring 31 goals and 56 assists for a total of 87 points. He was named in the roster for the NHL All-Star Game and helped lead the Avalanche to the playoffs. He continued his strong play in the postseason, scoring six goals and nine assists in 12 games.

Rantanen missed some time due to injuries in the 2019-20 season, but still managed to score 19 goals and 22 assists in just 42 games. He helped lead the Avalanche to the second round of the playoffs, scoring five goals and six assists in 14 games.

In the 2020-21 season, Rantanen continued his impressive play, scoring 30 goals and 36 assists for a total of 66 points in 52 games. He helped lead the Avalanche to the President's Trophy as the top team in the league during the regular season.

Throughout his career, Mikko Rantanen has been recognized for his skills and leadership qualities. He has been named an alternate captain for the Avalanche and has represented Finland in international competitions, including the 2016 and 2019 IIHF World Championships.