Stars F Roope Hintz leaves game with leg injury

Finnish forward won't return after incident with Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz left Friday's game against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period with an apparent leg injury. The team later announced Hintz would not return to the game, calling it a lower-body injury. Hintz was helped off the ice by a trainer and teammate Jason Robertson after his legs went out from underneath him following a check on Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon.

Why it matters

Hintz is a key two-way forward for the Stars, currently fifth on the team in scoring with 44 points. His injury is a significant blow as Dallas battles for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

The details

Hintz checked MacKinnon into the boards in the corner of the Avalanche's offensive zone. As MacKinnon fought to break away, Hintz's legs went out from underneath him and he began to grab his upper left leg with 4:22 left in the period. Hintz had just returned to the lineup after missing the previous four games due to an illness.

  • The incident occurred with 4:22 left in the second period on Friday, March 7, 2026.
  • Hintz had missed the Stars' previous four games due to an illness.

The players

Roope Hintz

A Finnish forward for the Dallas Stars who is fifth on the team in scoring with 44 points this season.

Nathan MacKinnon

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who was involved in the incident that led to Hintz's injury.

Jason Robertson

A Dallas Stars teammate who helped Hintz off the ice after his injury.

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What’s next

The Stars will provide an update on the severity of Hintz's injury and his timeline for return in the coming days.

The takeaway

Hintz's injury is a significant blow for the Stars as they push for a playoff spot, highlighting the physical toll of the NHL season and the importance of depth for contending teams.