Rantanen downplays series vs. former Avs teammates: 'It's business'

Ex-Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen isn't hung up on facing his old teammates in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a member of the Dallas Stars.

"I have a lot of friends off the ice from that team, but I think when the whistle goes on the ice for Game 1, I think then it's business and we try to beat each other," Rantanen said, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika. "Business is how I would look at it. Everybody wants to win."

The Stars and Avalanche are set to begin their slugfest Saturday in one of the opening round's most anticipated series. Rantanen's connection with both teams is a compelling storyline in the matchup between the two Western Conference powerhouses.

The Avalanche traded Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a shocking trade in January. Carolina then flipped him to Dallas at the deadline after the playmaking winger indicated he didn't want to sign long term in Raleigh. Rantanen inked an eight-year extension with the Stars as part of the trade.

"It's going to be different, but that's his new home, and it's going to be his home for eight years," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said. "That's the life of pro hockey sometimes in the business side of it. He's going to be a big factor in this series."

Rantanen played against the Avalanche in his fourth game with the Stars, an overtime loss. He finished the season with 88 points in 82 contests, including 18 in 20 appearances with Dallas.

The Stars and Avalanche had history before Rantanen switched sides, as Dallas eliminated Colorado from last year's playoffs in the second round.