Heiskanen has ramped up intensity at practice, seeing some contact, but will remain out of the lineup for Game 5 on Monday. The Stars struggled defensively in Game 4, losing 4-0, and would greatly benefit from Heiskanen playing. Given the desperation Dallas faces in Game 5, it poses concerns about when Heiskanen may be ready to return.
Heiskanen has practiced in a non-contact jersey the past few days and will travel to Colorado with the Stars. The tight first-round matchup is tied 1-1 with Game 3 on Wednesday, followed by a two-day break before Game 4 on Saturday. Heiskanen scored 25 points (5G / 20A) in 50 games and would provide a huge lift for a Stars team that struggled defensively down the stretch.
Heiskanen took part in the Stars' morning skate but will remain sidelined for Game 2 vs. the Avalanche. Consider him questionable for Game 3.
Stars' GM Jim Nill contradicted earlier reports stating that Heiskanen would miss the entirety of the first round of the playoffs, indicating that although he will not play in Game 1, he will likely play at some point. Before his injury, Heiskanen had five points (0G / 5A) during a five-game point streak and 25 points (5G / 20A) in 50 games.
Heiskanen has not played since suffering a knee injury in late January and subsequently undergoing knee surgery at the beginning of February. Stars' head coach Pete DeBoer revealed that there is a possibility that Heiskanen won't be ready to play until the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Earlier in the week, Stars' GM Jim Nill indicated that the hope would be to have Heiskanen ready to play midway through the first round of the playoffs. The Stars have fared well without him in the lineup, but any absence will be a massive blow to their Stanley Cup hopes.
Heiskanen exited last Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period with 19:50 time-on-ice after Mark Stone made contact with his knee in an awkward collision. Before his injury, Heiskanen had five points (0G / 5A) during a five-game point streak. His long-term absence is a crushing blow for a Stars club that he leads in ice-time (25:10). Thomas Harley has emerged at the quarterback on the Stars' top powerplay unit since Heiskanen has been sidelined.
Heiskanen exited Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period with 19:50 time-on-ice after Mark Stone made contact with his knee in an awkward collision. The 25-year-old Heiskanen leads Dallas in time-on-ice (25:10) and is out week-to-week. Before his injury, Heiskanen had five points (0G / 5A) during a five-game point streak.
Heiskanen exited Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period with 19:50 time-on-ice after Mark Stone made contact with his knee in an awkward collision. The 25-year-old Heiskanen leads Dallas in time-on-ice (25:10) and will be sorely missed if he is out of the lineup for an extended period of time. Before his injury, Heiskanen had five points (0G / 5A) during a five-game point streak.
Heiskanen did not play Monday afternoon to be with his wife for the birth of their child but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Despite quarterbacking a struggling Stars powerplay unit, Heiskanen has managed to stay productive, scoring 10 points (2G / 8A) in his last 12 games while averaging 23:34 time-on-ice.
Heiskanen did not travel with the Stars to Boston and remained in Dallas to be with his wife for the birth of his child. The Stars are also without Jani Hakanpaa (upper-body) and will see Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot make their season debuts. Thomas Harley will likely see the greatest boost in playing time and offensive deployment on Monday with Heiskanen out of the lineup.
Heiskanen will return to the lineup from a 10-game absence due to a lower-body injury, playing his first game since January 4th. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Heiskanen should re-take his role on the top powerplay unit, occupied by Thomas Harley in his absence.
Heiskanen is expected to return in the coming days as Stars' general manager Jim Nill stated he expect Heiskanen to return for either Thursday or Saturday's game. Nill added that Heiskanen is at a point in his recovery where he would be able to play if it were the playoffs. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games.
Heiskanen will miss his sixth-straight game on Tuesday when the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings but could return in the coming days as he will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Expect Thomas Harley to continue his increased deployment and usage on the top powerplay while Heiskanen is out of the lineup.
Heiskanen awkwardly collided with his goaltender Scott Wedgewood while backchecking and exited the game in the third period after playing only 14:38 time-on-ice. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Heiskanen's presence on the blue line will be sorely missed for the Stars, as he averages over 25 minutes per night. Expect Thomas Harley to see in an increase in deployment during Heiskanen's absence, including a role on the top powerplay unit.
Heiskanen played 14:38 TOI before departing Thursday's game vs. the Avalanche. He got hurt in a collision with Scott Wedgewood and makes him questionable to play Saturday vs. the Predators.
Heiskanen left Game 3 vs. Seattle after just 11:12 due to a cut around his eye and will return to the Stars' lineup for Game 4 on Tuesday. The 23-year-old was originally a game-time decision for Game 4 on Tuesday and will hope to add to his seven assists and +2 plus/minus through nine games so far this playoffs when he returns.
Heiskanen left Game 3 vs. Seattle after just 11:12 due to a cut around his eye and is considered day-to-day for the time being but is not in concussion protocol as first expected. The 23-year-old will be a game-time decision for Game 4 on Tuesday and will hope to add to his seven assists and +2 plus/minus through nine games so far this playoffs when he returns.
