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3w ago

Stars Open vs. Wild With Roope Hintz Out, Miro Heiskanen Expected Back

Depth pieces step forward with Miro Heiskanen tracking toward a Game 1 return.

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Feb 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) skates against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is celebrate as the Stars honor their 2026 Winter Olympics hockey players before the game against the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Coach Glen Gulutzan, who on Tuesday ruled Roope Hintz out for Games 1 and 2, said Wednesday the center had a setback in his lower-body recovery and will miss the series start.
  • General manager Jim Nill said imaging indicates Miro Heiskanen should be available for Game 1, and Gulutzan described the top defenseman as day to day but very hopeful.
  • Dallas holds home ice to start the first round against Minnesota after a 2–2 regular-season split that tightened to one-goal games in March and April.
  • The Stars plan to elevate Matt Duchene into Hintz’s spot between Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque, leaning on a group that went 18-6-4 in the games Hintz missed.
  • Team leaders highlighted season-long resilience through injuries, with recent returns like Radek Faksa and Sam Steel reinforcing the next-man-up approach before the weekend opener.