Coming off a three-month recovery, the Stars defenseman could make waves with a Game 4 return.
DALLAS — For more than three months, the Dallas Stars have been without their number one defenseman, Miro Heiskanen, due to injury.
The wait is almost over.
On Tuesday, DeBoer told reporters Heiskanen would skate in the morning, and if all went well, he’d anticipate Heiskanen playing in Game 4 on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m.
DeBoer’s comments Tuesday followed his optimistic stance Monday.
“I’m still sticking by what I projected, that we would see him in the second round,” DeBoer said Monday.
Only a handful of players were at morning skate on Monday. The star from Finland was not one of them as he received a scheduled day off.
DeBoer mentioned Heiskanen would “get back at it” on Tuesday morning in Dallas, hours before their Game 4 showdown with the Winnipeg Jets.
When Heiskanen does return to the lineup, he will not see his typical workload.
“We’re not going to put him out on the ice for 30 minutes in his first game back in 3 months, so we’ll have to be smart about that,” DeBoer acknowledged.
In the meantime, proper credit needs to be given to the rest of the Stars’ defensive unit, which has leveled up in Miro’s absence.
“The fact that we’re in the situation we’re in without Miro, it’s been exceptional what our group has done,” noted DeBoer.
Two of the Stars’ five goals in their Game 3 win over Winnipeg were credited to defensemen Thomas Harley and journeyman Alexander Petrovic.
“It’s been tough [without Miro], but guys have weathered it well, especially these playoffs, stepping up,” said Stars forward Jason Robertson. “Whenever he gets back, we’ll definitely enjoy it.”
DeBoer would not tip his hand as to when exactly Heiskanen will return to the lineup, but Petrovic spoke in an optimistic tone on Monday.
“Miro back is going to be… it’s massive,” Petrovic smiled. “He looks great, honestly. Looks like he’s ready to go, so I think it’s gonna be a huge confidence boost for this group.”