Heiskanen's Status Still Uncertain for Stars in Game 1

Dallas defenseman dealing with lower-body injury, will practice Friday ahead of playoff opener

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:39pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a hockey player in motion, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant colors like royal blue, crimson red, and metallic silver, conceptually representing the uncertainty surrounding a key player's injury status.A cubist interpretation of a Dallas Stars defenseman's dynamic movement on the ice, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Miro Heiskanen's injury status ahead of the playoffs.Dallas Today

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who sustained a lower-body injury in the team's final regular-season game against the Minnesota Wild, is expected to practice on Friday. The Stars will then determine if Heiskanen will be able to play in Game 1 of their Western Conference First Round playoff series against the Wild on Saturday.

Why it matters

Heiskanen is a key player for the Stars, finishing the regular season ninth among NHL defensemen with 63 points. His status will be crucial for Dallas as they look to advance in the playoffs.

The details

Heiskanen has not practiced with the team since his injury on April 9. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said the team will make a determination on Heiskanen's status for Game 1 after Friday's practice. In Heiskanen's absence, the Stars have used Thomas Harley on their first power-play unit.

  • Heiskanen sustained the lower-body injury in a 5-4 win against the Wild on April 9.
  • Heiskanen missed the Stars' final three regular-season games.
  • Heiskanen is expected to practice with the team on Friday, April 17.
  • Game 1 of the Stars' first-round playoff series against the Wild is scheduled for Saturday, April 18.

The players

Miro Heiskanen

A defenseman for the Dallas Stars who finished the regular season ninth among NHL defensemen with 63 points.

Glen Gulutzan

The head coach of the Dallas Stars.

Thomas Harley

A defenseman for the Dallas Stars who has been used on the team's first power-play unit in Heiskanen's absence.

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What they’re saying

“Honestly, we'll know tomorrow night whether he's going to be a player on Saturday. We have the 4:30 (CT) game, so we won't even have the morning skate that day, so we'll have to make a determination tomorrow night to see where he's at and then go from there. We're not 100 percent sure. We're hopeful. I'm hopeful. But we've got two plans for what we will be doing if he's in or if he's out.”

— Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars head coach

“I think 'Harls' gives us a really good shot presence, he's prepared to shoot. Miro is more of a distributor, but it doesn't change a whole lot. Each guy has his own little skill set, but it adds to the power play rather than take away. That's a good thing. It's a little dynamic when both guys bring their own flavor to the party.”

— Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars head coach

What’s next

The Stars will make a final determination on Miro Heiskanen's status for Game 1 against the Wild after Friday's practice.

The takeaway

Miro Heiskanen's injury status will be a key storyline heading into the Stars' first-round playoff series against the Wild. His presence or absence could have a significant impact on Dallas' power play and overall performance in the postseason.