The Dallas Stars boarded their flight to Minnesota on Tuesday without key forward Roope Hintz, confirming his absence for Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Wild. The series stands tied 1-1 after Dallas evened it up with a 4-2 victory in Game 2 on Monday night, following Minnesota’s dominant 6-1 win in the opener.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan addressed Hintz’s status directly before departure. “He’s not traveling. Like I said, Game 3, won’t be there. Game 4 (on Saturday), I would say is very doubtful,” Gulutzan noted. The team hopes for better news by Game 5 back in Dallas next week.
Injury details and recovery setback
Hintz has been sidelined since sustaining a lower-body injury on March 6 against the Colorado Avalanche. He remained down after a battle along the boards with Nathan MacKinnon, unable to put weight on his left leg as he was helped off the ice.
The 29-year-old center, in his eighth NHL season, faced additional hurdles this year. He played for bronze medal-winning Finland at the Olympics before missing the Stars’ first four games post-break due to illness. That lone return game against Colorado marked the injury.
A recent unspecified setback in recovery has prolonged his absence. Gulutzan mentioned earlier that Hintz hadn’t even resumed solo skating between Games 1 and 2.
The Stars initially ruled him out for Games 1 and 2, but updates indicate no imminent return. Medical staff continues monitoring, with lower-body issues proving stubborn in playoffs.
This timeline echoes past Stars injury challenges, where top centers like Hintz anchor the top line. His absence tests depth early in the postseason.
Playoff series recap: Tied at 1-1
Minnesota stunned Dallas with a 6-1 rout in Game 1 at American Airlines Center on April 18. The Wild capitalized on forechecking and goaltending, extending Dallas’s playoff opener woes.
Dallas bounced back decisively in Game 2, winning 4-2 to force the trip to Minnesota. Key contributions from the bottom six and strong defense evened the score.
Game 3 shifts to Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday night, with Game 4 following Saturday. The higher-seeded Stars hold home-ice but now face a hostile road environment.
Both teams enter with injury concerns. Minnesota’s Mats Zuccarello is out for Game 2 with an upper-body issue, per recent reports.
For more on the series matchup, check the official NHL preview.
Impact of Hintz’s absence on the Stars
Hintz’s production leaves a void. As a top-line center, he logs heavy minutes and drives play alongside stars like Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski replacements.
Dallas has shuffled lines effectively so far. Prospects and depth forwards have stepped up, but sustaining that against Minnesota’s physical style remains key.
Without Hintz, faceoff wins and defensive reliability dip. His 52% faceoff percentage and plus-20 rating this season highlight his value.
Coach Gulutzan praised the group’s resilience. “Hopefully by the time we get back, we’re in a good spot, and he’s in a good spot.”
Historical parallels show Stars thriving short-handed in playoffs, but prolonged absences test championship mettle.
Looking ahead: Timeline for Hintz’s return
Gulutzan pegs Game 5 as the earliest possibility, assuming progress in Dallas. Game 4 appears “very doubtful.”
Rehab focuses on skating resumption first. Solo drills could signal Game 5 readiness.
The series schedule intensifies:
- Game 3: Wednesday, Minnesota
- Game 4: Saturday, Minnesota
- Game 5: Next week, Dallas (if necessary)
- Subsequent games as needed up to seven.
Fans track updates via NHL injury reports.
Miro Heiskanen may return soon, offering defensive relief amid Hintz’s timeline.
The Stars face a pivotal road trip without Hintz, but their Game 2 response shows depth. Stealing one in Minnesota could shift momentum decisively, positioning them for a deep run regardless of his exact return. Playoff success often hinges on adversity overcome—what it means for Dallas is proving they’re built for May.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.