Dallas Stars’ Roope Hintz to Miss Game 3 Against Edmonton Oilers
The Dallas Stars have confirmed that centre Roope Hintz will not take to the ice for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Sunday. According to reports from the NHL, Hintz did travel with the team and participated in warm-ups, but left the ice after just five minutes.
This latest development comes as a significant blow to the Stars, who are currently trailing the best-of-7 series 2-1. The team’s coach, Pete DeBoer, acknowledged the absence of his top centre, stating, “You’re without your No. 1 centre. I give our guys credit. They didn’t mail it in. They showed up and worked.” The Stars’ coach was speaking to reporters after the team’s 6-1 loss to the Oilers.
Hintz’s injury occurred during Game 2 on Friday, when he was slashed on the top of the left foot by Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The incident resulted in Hintz being helped off the ice at 3:46 of the third period, with the Oilers going on to win the game 3-0 and tie the series. Nurse was initially assessed a five-minute major penalty for slashing, but this was later downgraded to a two-minute minor following a review.
The absence of Hintz has significant implications for the Stars, given his impressive form in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Prior to his injury, Hintz had accumulated 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 15 playoff games, having recorded 67 points (28 goals, 39 assists) in 76 regular-season games. According to the NHL, Hintz has established himself as a key player for the Stars, with 377 points (175 goals, 202 assists) in 468 regular-season games and 68 points (26 goals, 42 assists) in 93 playoff games.
DeBoer remained optimistic about the team’s chances, despite the setbacks. “We’re without our No. 1 centre. We’re on the road here in a tough environment. I thought we played a really good hockey game for a big stretch of that game, so there’s nothing to get emotional or upset about,” he said. “I think you have to be realistic with your group. I liked our compete tonight. I liked a lot of parts of our game, and we’ve got to build on that and hopefully get Roope Hintz back and get back in the series.”
The Dallas Stars will look to bounce back in Game 4, which is scheduled to take place in Edmonton on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, ESPN, ESPN+). As the team prepares for the next game, they will be hoping for a positive update on Hintz’s condition. As reported by the NHL, Hintz was a second-round pick (No. 49) by Dallas at the 2015 NHL Draft, and has since become a key player for the team.
The Edmonton Oilers, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum and take a stranglehold on the series. The team’s victory in Game 3 marked a significant turning point in the series, and they will be eager to press their advantage in Game 4. As the series continues, all eyes will be on the Dallas Stars’ injury list, and whether or not Roope Hintz will be able to return to the ice.
Further updates on Hintz’s condition are expected to be provided by the Stars in the coming days. For now, the team will have to regroup and refocus, with the aim of getting back into the series. As DeBoer noted, “We’ve got to build on that and hopefully get Roope Hintz back and get back in the series.” The NHL reports that the Stars will be keen to get their top centre back on the ice, as they look to mount a comeback in the Western Conference Final.
The Western Conference Final is set to continue, with Game 4 between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers taking place on Tuesday. The series has been closely contested so far, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the next game. According to sources, including the NHL, the Stars will be looking to bounce back and level the series, while the Oilers will be aiming to take a commanding lead.
The Dallas Stars’ coach, Pete DeBoer, will be hoping that his team can bounce back from their loss in Game 3. As reported by the NHL, DeBoer praised his team’s effort, stating, “I give our guys credit. They didn’t mail it in. They showed up and worked.” The Stars will be looking to build on this performance, as they aim to get back into the series.
This article has been sourced from NHL.com.
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