The Dallas Stars are getting some encouraging news before Game 2 of the NHL Western Conference Final. The Stars' Roope Hintz may be able to play in the contest, per Sports Net Canada. Hintz is a game-time decision for the second battle of the series against Edmonton.
The Stars are in need of a win in Game 2 of the series. The Oilers took Game 1 and are arguably the hottest team still playing in this NHL playoff. Dallas center Hintz missed Game 1 due to an upper-body injury.
The Stars series against the Oilers
Edmonton won Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, 3-2, in overtime on Thursday. The Oilers have had a memorable season, making a coaching change midway through the campaign. Edmonton went on a 16-game winning streak heading into the All-Star break after that, under new coach Kris Knoblauch. The Stars are playing the role of spoiler in this series, despite finishing the regular season with a stellar record atop the Central Division. Dallas finished the year first in the division with 113 points.
The Stars skated to the top with the help of Hintz. The center has missed the team's last three games due to injury. Before that, he was a star in the Stars' offense, no pun intended. Hintz has recorded 6 points in the NHL playoffs including four assists, in just 11 games.
“He's big,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said, per NHL.com. “He skates. He's a 200-foot player. He's one of our best defensive players, one of our best penalty killers, creates offense. I don't know. Is there anything else on that list? He's physical.”
During the regular season, the center recorded 65 points. His production was a little bit down compared to the last two years, when he posted more than 70 points in each season. Hintz finished this regular season with 30 goals. His point total was third highest on the team, heading into the Western Conference playoffs. Hintz has now posted more than 300 points in his career, playing for the Stars since the 2018-19 campaign.
“He drives the game,” Dallas center Wyatt Johnston added. “He's awesome, so yeah, it would be great if he's in the lineup tonight. But if not, [it's] just other guys stepping up.”
Despite being a game-time decision, there is some good news. Hintz was able to skate with the team Saturday morning, per NHL.com. He has also been able to work some on his own. That's music to the ears of the Stars, who would find themselves in a world of trouble if they go down 2-0 in this series. The Oilers made mincemeat with the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, winning in five games. Edmonton then knocked out the formidable Vancouver Canucks in a seven game series, to advance to the conference final.
The Stars and Oilers take to the ice in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final at 8:00 Eastern Saturday.
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