The Dallas Stars, seeded second in the Western Conference, are preparing for a crucial playoff matchup against the Minnesota Wild, who hold the third seed. Both teams had strong regular-season finishes, with Dallas reaching 112 points and Minnesota finishing at 104 points.
Heiskanen’s Game 1 Availability Uncertain for Stars
Miro Heiskanen’s participation in Game 1 remains uncertain due to a lower-body injury. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan shared insights on the situation, stating, “Honestly, we’ll know tomorrow night whether he’s going to be a player on Saturday.” The coach noted that the team would not have its morning skate, complicating preparations.
Heiskanen has not practiced with the team since injuring himself during a 5-4 victory against Minnesota on April 9. He missed the last three games of the regular season, raising concerns about his fitness for the upcoming match. Although Heiskanen skated alone, the true test will come during a team practice.
Regular Season Performance
Heiskanen ended the regular season among the top defensemen in the NHL, recording 63 points, which included nine goals and 54 assists over 77 games. His performance positioned him ninth among NHL defensemen. Notably, he excelled on the power play, contributing 28 points, which ranked fourth in the league among defensemen.
- Regular Season Points: 63
- Goals: 9
- Assists: 54
- Power Play Points: 28 (tied for fourth)
- Average Ice Time: 25:28 per game (fourth most in the NHL)
The Stars boasted an impressive power-play efficiency of 28.6%, ranking second in the league. In Heiskanen’s absence, Thomas Harley has stepped in on the first power-play unit, where the team managed to score three goals on ten attempts. Harley contributed with an assist during this period, indicating that he is adjusting well to the increased responsibility.
Other Player Updates
Additionally, the Stars will be missing center Roope Hintz for at least the first two games due to a lower-body injury. Hintz has not played since March 6, further complicating the team’s lineup heading into the playoffs.
As the Dallas Stars prepare to face the Minnesota Wild, the health of key players such as Heiskanen and Hintz will be critical in determining their success in the postseason.
