The Dallas Stars have received a big boost before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Minnesota Wild, scheduled for Saturday.
Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan revealed that he expects to have defenseman Miro Heiskanen available for the game against the Wild.
“Yeah, you know, we hope there, too, that we could have him for Game 1,” Gulutzan said, via the NHL’s official website. “And as I said, he’s getting better, but it’s kind of day to day right now to see where he’s at, so very hopeful, though, on that front. Obviously, he’s a big player for us.”
Heiskanen, 26, has nine goals and 54 assists for a total of 63 points in 77 games this season. The Finn ranks fourth in the league in time on ice (25:28).
On another note, Sam Steel already returned to the game against the Sabres after being unavailable for nine games due to an undisclosed injury. Roope Hintz, for his part, is ruled out for the first two games of Round 1 against Minnesota due to a lower-body injury he suffered on March 6.
| Player | Position | Injury Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miro Heiskanen | Defenseman | Day-to-day (likely Game 1) | Improving, hopeful for Game 1 |
| Sam Steel | Forward | Active | Returned after 9-game absence |
| Roope Hintz | Forward | Out | Out for first 2 games (lower body) |