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.
To some surprise, Oettinger exited Game 4 in the second intermission with his team down 3-0 despite a solid effort, saving 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%). Head coach Pete DeBoer confirmed he did not suffer an injury and was resting Oettinger to prepare for Game 5 on Monday. The 26-year-old Oettinger has been solid in the 2024-25 postseason, posting a 2.72 GAA and .911 SV% in four outings (2-2). Dallas enters Game 5 on Monday as +125 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche team that dominated Game 4 with a 4-0 victory.
Oskar Back (undisclosed) will draw back into the Stars' lineup for Game 5, sending Bourque back to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Bourque had 25 points (11G / 14A) playing 73 games in his rookie season this year but will be a healthy scratch for the third time in five games with start the postseason.
Back has battled an undisclosed ailment the past few games, exiting Game 2 and 3 for short periods of time, and not playing in Game 4. However, he will return to the lineup in Game 5, replacing Mavrik Bourque. The 25-year-old Back is making his postseason debut this year and has one point (0G / 1A) in three games.
A first-round playoff return for Jason Robertson seems unlikely as his team prepares for Game 5 on Monday night and he has only just returned to skating. Robertson was injured in the final game of the season, and remains out of the lineup, week-to-week. The 25-year-old forward had 80 points (35G / 45A) in 82 games this season.
After allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in Saturday's 5-1 Game 1 loss, Oettinger responded nicely, saving 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in Monday's 4-3 overtime Game 2 victory. The win was Oettinger's first in four games (0-3-1) dating back to the end of the regular season. The Stars enter Game 3 on Wednesday as +161 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche team that could receive a morale boost from Gabriel Landeskog, who could return to the Avalanche lineup for his first NHL game in nearly three years.
Robertson was injured in the final game of the season, and remains out of the lineup, week-to-week, without further update. Given the uncertainty and lack of updates around Robertson's injury, it would be surprising to see him return in the first round of the playoffs. The 25-year-old forward had 80 points (35G / 45A) in 82 games this season.
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.
Despite his struggles in the opening game of the series, the Stars will unsurprisingly stick with their franchise netminder between the pipes for Game 2. Oettinger was thoroughly outplayed by Mackenzie Blackwood in that first game, allowing four goals on just 23 shots. It was the continuation of a season-ending slump for Oettinger, who has now posted an 0-4-1 record and an .841 SV% in his last five starts. The Stars enter action on Monday as slight underdogs at +125 on the money line.
Bourque logged the second-lowest TOI (10:37) in Game 2, finishing with three SOG, 2 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating. He's expected to be replaced by Colin Blackwell in the lineup for Game 2.
Blackwell was a healthy scratch in the season finale and Game 1, but is expected to replace Mavrik Bourque in Game 2. Blackwell finished the regular season with 17 points (6G / 11A) in 63 games.
Heiskanen took part in the Stars' morning skate but will remain sidelined for Game 2 vs. the Avalanche. Consider him questionable for Game 3.
Robertson was hurt early in the Stars' season finale in Nashville and is out week-to-week. Robertson has been ruled out for Game 1, leaving the Stars without two of their top players to start the series, with Miro Heiskanen also sidelined. With Robertson out, the Stars will go with a more balanced lineup, with Mikko Rantanen skating with Wyatt Johnston, while Roope Hintz centres Evgenii Dadonov and Mikael Granlund.
Robertson left the game after a collision with Michael McCarron and was unable to return. It's unclear at this time whether this is simply a precautionary measure or if Robertson's status for Game 1 of the playoffs is truly in jeopardy.
