Miro Heiskanen injury update: Stars defenseman plays for first time since January
The Dallas Stars got their top defenseman back Tuesday night as they try to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.
Miro Heiskanen was activated from long-term injured reserve on Tuesday and he played for the first time since late January.
He injured his knee when Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone tripped and fell into his leg. Heiskanen had knee surgery, missed the 4 Nations Face-Off, the rest of the regular season and the first round and first three games of the second round of the NHL playoffs.
He took part in an optional skate on Tuesday morning ahead of Game 4.
“I anticipate he’ll play tonight if that goes well,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said before Heiskanen was activated.
DeBoer went with seven defensemen and 11 forwards, compared with the usual six and 12, in Game 4, meaning Heiskanen wouldn’t have to skate big minutes in his first game back.
“The 11-7 thing is no big deal,” DeBoer said. “It gives (red-hot forward) Mikko Rantanen some more ice time. That’s an easy one.”
Miro Heiskanen injury update
Heiskanen suffered a knee injury on Jan. 28 in a collision with Stone and had knee surgery. He played Tuesday for the first time since that incident. The Stars lead the Jets 2-1 in the second-round series.
Miro Heiskanen stats
Heiskanen had 25 points in 50 games and was averaging a team-high 25-plus minutes a game at the time of the injury. He has 65 points in 81 career playoff games.