The Dallas Stars came back to win Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers collapsed in the third period of that opening contest. However, this was not the case in Game 2. The Oilers won the second game 3-0 while the Stars had to make do without forward Roope Hintz.

Hintz was near the Edmonton goal, standing in front of goalie Stuart Skinner and behind defenseman Darnell Nurse. As play moved back toward the blueline, Nurse whacked at Hintz near his feet. Hintz dropped to the ice and writhed in pain before being helped off. He did not return in Game 2 after the injury.

Head coach Pete DeBoer did not appreciate the incident after the game. He called out the refs for their handling of the incident when speaking to the media. “I'll answer your question with a question. Does anyone in this room think that if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, it's not a five-minute major? Oh. That's my answer to your question,” he said, via B/R Open Ice.

Stars' Jamie Benn continues the Connor McDavid comparison

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and center Roope Hintz (24) and left wing Jason Robertson (21) and defenseman Matt Dumba (3) and right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) look on as Benn’s goal against the Utah Hockey Club is under review during the third period at the American Airlines Center.
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Related Dallas Stars NewsArticle continues below
Apr 19, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer on the bench during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Stars’ Pete DeBoer gets brutally honest on Dallas’ Game 2 performance
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) reacts with left wing Mason Marchment (27) after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Stars’ Mason Marchment issues Darnell Nurse warning for Game 3
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is awarded the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year award by Nashville Predators general manager David Poile during the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena.
NHL announces finalists for GM of the year

DeBoer wasn't the only one who used the McDavid example after Game 2. Stars captain Jamie Benn also invoked the Oilers captain when speaking during his media availability. The sentiment, obviously, was almost identical to that of his head coach's words.

“We didn't like it. If that was McDavid walking down the tunnel, I would like to see the result of that,” the Stars captain said, via Mark Lazerus of The Athletic.

Hintz is an important part of this Dallas lineup. He has scored 25 or more goals in each of the last four seasons. He came within two goals of four straight 30-goal campaigns in 2024-25. Hintz is the only forward not named Mikko Rantanen to record more than 10 points in this playoff run, as well.

The Stars have to get back on track with the series shifting to Edmonton. For now, though, Hintz's health is the most important thing. Hopefully, he can return to the ice without complication before the conclusion of the 2025 Western Conference Finals.