Stars and Wild Both Get Key Defensemen Back for Game 1

Miro Heiskanen and Quinn Hughes return from injuries for playoff opener

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The return of star defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Quinn Hughes for the Stars and Wild playoff opener adds intrigue to this first-round matchup.Dallas Today

Key defensemen Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars and Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild were both active for Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series after missing time at the end of the regular season due to injuries. Heiskanen had been out with a lower-body injury, while Hughes was dealing with an illness.

Why it matters

The return of these two star defensemen is a major boost for their respective teams as they begin their first-round playoff matchup. Both Heiskanen and Hughes play crucial roles on their teams' blue lines and will be counted on to help lead their clubs deep into the postseason.

The details

Heiskanen missed the Stars' final three regular-season games with a lower-body injury suffered in a game against the Wild on April 9. He practiced on his own Thursday and with the team on Friday, and Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said the 23-year-old would be a 'full-go' for Game 1. Hughes, acquired by the Wild from the Vancouver Canucks in December, missed Minnesota's last two games due to an illness but flew to Dallas on his own on Friday to join the team.

  • Heiskanen missed the Stars' final 3 regular-season games due to injury.
  • Hughes missed the Wild's last 2 games due to illness.

The players

Miro Heiskanen

A 23-year-old defenseman for the Dallas Stars who had 63 points (9 goals, 54 assists) in 79 games this season.

Quinn Hughes

A 24-year-old defenseman for the Minnesota Wild who had 76 points (7 goals, 69 assists) in 74 games this season after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in December.

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What they’re saying

“It's the time of year he can go.”

— Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars coach

“I just expect him to come in and do what he does.”

— John Hynes, Minnesota Wild coach

The takeaway

The return of Heiskanen and Hughes gives their teams a major boost heading into the playoffs, as both defensemen are crucial to their teams' success. Their presence should make for an exciting first-round series between the Stars and Wild.