Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer knows that his team needs center Roope Hintz. DeBoer credits Hintz's return in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final as a reason why Dallas won the contest. Hintz recorded two assists for Dallas in a 5-3 win over Edmonton.
“We gutted it out while (Hintz) was out of the lineup,” DeBoer said, per ESPN. “It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t as pretty as it was tonight when he was out, but we still found ways. Guys still found ways to contribute without a key player.
“That’s what I’m most proud of. It was great that he was back tonight, but I’m really proud of how we handled his absence.”
Stars' series against Oilers
Dallas takes a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Final against the Oilers, after winning Game 3. The Stars are on a tear, taking the last two games of the series. The Stars passed the puck around with ease in Game 3, as several players got involved in the high-powered offense. Hintz wasn't the only Star to finish the game with two assists, as Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn also had two each. The Stars also got a hat trick from Jason Robertson.
Hintz returned to the lineup for Dallas after missing the last several games with an upper-body injury. He hadn't played in any of the previous contests of the series. His last appearance was in Game 4 of the team's previous series against the Colorado Avalanche. Hintz gives the Stars another experienced puck handler, who can score and distribute. In this year's playoffs, Hintz has 8 total points including 6 assists.
How the season has gone for Hintz
Hintz's presence on the ice this season has helped Dallas finish at the top of the Central Division. Dallas notched a total of 113 points during the regular season, including 52 victories.
This campaign, Hintz recorded 65 points including 30 goals. He has played for the Stars since the 2018-19 campaign. He has spent his entire career in Dallas, and is searching for his first Stanley Cup Championship. The Stars only need two more wins in the series against the Oilers to make it a step closer to getting there.
Even though he hasn't won a championship, Hintz has played a lot of postseason hockey. The center has played in 75 postseason games, and has 57 points in the playoffs. His plus-minus is +4 in the playoffs. It makes perfect sense that Dallas is a much better team when they have the center on the ice.
The Stars have only one Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. It was 25 years ago, in the 1998-99 season. The team last appeared in the NHL Finals in 2020, but lost the Stanley Cup to Tampa Bay. Hintz was on that club, and probably remembers that loss vividly. If Dallas keeps winning, the center will get a chance to redeem himself.
Game 4 of the Western Conference Final is on Wednesday, at 8:30 Eastern.
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