Stars coach Pete DeBoer expects star defenseman Miro Heiskanen to play in the series against the Winnipeg Jets.
I still stand firm on what I projected: that we would see it in the second round.
Pete DeBoer
The Stars lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Tuesday night.
Heiskanen is under daily evaluation, having not played since January 28, when he suffered a left knee injury in a collision with Mark Stone, forward for the Vegas Golden Knights. Heiskanen underwent knee surgery and has been working to return to the lineup since the first-round series of Winnipeg against the Colorado Avalanche. In the season, Heiskanen accumulated 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 50 games, averaging 25:10 minutes of ice time.
Monday was a day of rest for Heiskanen. DeBoer said that “he will return to action tomorrow.” The coach explained that any decision on Heiskanen’s status will be made jointly between the coach, the player, and the team’s medical staff.
In the previous round, DeBoer said that everything was “on the table” to facilitate Heiskanen’s return to the lineup, including the possibility of playing with seven defensemen. The coach commented that he does not expect the 25-year-old defenseman to play his usual minutes immediately, as he ranked fifth in the NHL in average ice time during the regular season.
I don’t think there are specific restrictions, but we’re not going to put him on the ice for 30 minutes in his first game after three months. We’ll have to be smart about it.
Pete DeBoer
Dallas forward Jason Robertson has experienced firsthand what it’s like to go from watching the playoffs to competing in them. He returned to the Stars’ lineup after being injured in a game on April 16, debuting in the postseason in Game 1 in Winnipeg.
You’re coming back from an injury, so anything you had is obviously going to bother you. That’s the first thing. And then, getting to game speed in the playoffs is another thing. There’s nowhere to hide. Every moment intensifies, every missed assignment, any forecheck. Every time you get beat, everything intensifies. So you try to be super simple until you get your legs back and get into game shape. That might take a little bit.
Jason Robertson
The Stars have weathered Heiskanen’s absence thanks to the depth of their defense corps. Thomas Harley has stepped up on the power play, accumulating four points in the postseason. Veteran Cody Ceci has handled an increase of more than two minutes per game in ice time. Players like Lian Bichsel and Alexander Petrovic have played effectively, according to DeBoer.
I think what our group has done has been exceptional.
Pete DeBoer
Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel acknowledged that Dallas, already leading the series, will receive an instant emotional boost when Heiskanen returns.
An elite player, obviously. We can’t worry about someone who isn’t here. If we suddenly show up and he’s in warmups, then yes, we certainly have to acknowledge him.
Scott Arniel
With the possibility of Heiskanen returning as early as Game 4, Arniel wouldn’t mind the Stars taking a cautious approach with their star defenseman.
Let’s hope he takes a little more time to make sure he’s coming back.
Scott Arniel
