The Dallas Stars have ruled out top defender Miro Heiskanen for today’s Game 3 matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, per team reporter Mike Heika. Heiskanen has not suited up since having surgery in February to repair a knee injury.
Prior to the series, coach Pete DeBoer listed Heiskanen and forward Jason Robertson as day-to-day. While Robertson returned from his knee injury for Game 1, Heiskanen has yet to rejoin the lineup. DeBoer maintains that Heiskanen is day-to-day, but did tell reporters to quell expectations whenever the defender does return.
“When he comes back, it’s going to be a good day. But even when he comes back, he’s been out for three and a half months. He’s going to help immediately, but we’re going to have to temper our expectations.”
DeBoer noted that the team is excited to have Heiskanen back, but also emphasized that they’ve managed to succeed in his absence. His greater concern seems to be the team’s lack of offensive production. While Miko Rantanen has been on a tear, Matt Duchene, Jamie Benn, Mason Marchment, and Mikael Granlund have struggled in the playoffs. With Robertson and Tyler Seguin not at full strength, and the Stars need to dig deep to find ways to light the lamp post.
As DeBoer noted: “We need guys to get on the board, but you also have to understand that Winnipeg is the best defensive team in the league and it’s not going to be easy. We might not get guys lighting it up this series, we might have to win 1-0, 2-1. It would be great if everyone was scoring, but it’s more important that we’re winning games.”