Dallas Stars
Miro Heiskanen could return for the Stars for Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday (5:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS). The defenseman missed his third straight game because of a lower-body injury when the Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday. “And like 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,” coach Glen Gulutzan said before the win. Heiskanen has 63 points (nine goals, 54 assists) in 77 games and is fourth in the NHL in ice time per game (25:28). … Forward Roope Hintz will not be available in the first two playoff games against the Wild. Hintz has not played since March 6, when he sustained a lower-body injury during a battle along the boards with Nathan MacKinnon in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Hintz did not put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off the ice by a teammate and a team trainer. Hintz, who has not resumed skating yet, had 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 53 games this season.
