HIGHLIGHTS
- Miro Heiskanen left Thursday’s game against Minnesota with a lower-body injury and won’t play again in the regular season
- Roope Hintz has been out since March 6 and GM Jim Nill says the team isn’t sure he’ll be ready for Game 1
- Watch the team’s announcement below and read on for what this means heading into Round 1 against the Wild
The Dallas Stars are staring down a first-round matchup with the Minnesota Wild. They might have to do it without two of their most important players.
Miro Heiskanen went down with a lower-body injury during Thursday’s 5-4 win over the Wild after colliding with Ryan Hartman near the end of the first period. He didn’t return.
The Stars announced the injury during the game:
Heiskanen had an MRI on Friday. Head coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed the defenseman won’t play in any of Dallas’ final three regular-season games. The team is hopeful he’ll be ready when the playoffs open on April 18, but nothing is certain.
It’s been a strong season for Heiskanen. He put up 63 points (nine goals, 54 assists) in 77 games, his second-best offensive year.
Then there’s Roope Hintz, who hasn’t played since March 6. GM Jim Nill delivered a blunt update on Friday:
Nill said the team doesn’t expect Hintz back for the regular season and isn’t sure he’ll be available for Game 1. He remains week-to-week.
Dallas already lost Tyler Seguin to a long-term injury earlier this season. Losing Heiskanen and Hintz on top of that would leave a massive hole in both the lineup and the power play heading into a tough series.
The Wild won’t have much sympathy. Minnesota finished as Dallas’ first-round opponent after a tight race in the Central Division, and both teams know what’s at stake. The Stars took Thursday’s game without Heiskanen for most of it, but a seven-game series is a different animal.
Dallas wraps up the regular season with three games remaining. All eyes will be on whether Heiskanen and Hintz can get healthy enough to suit up when the real games begin next Saturday.
