With the Stars standing on the cusp of destiny in the Western Conference Finals, the presence or absence of Roope Hintz may very well dictate their path. However, looming before them in Game 4 is the question of whether Hintz will play, with hopes still alive over a lower-body injury. The center skated during the optional practice on Monday for what he described as more of an experimental basis, with the final decision yet to be made. With the series currently leaning toward Edmonton, the Stars will want all hands on deck.
Injuries continue to cloud Roope Hintz’s return as the Dallas Stars yearn for stability
One of the advocacy points for the Dallas Stars as they prepare for Game 4 at Rogers Place is the question of Hintz’s status. The Finnish center is one of the key play drivers for the team. He was, however, absent for Game 3 due to an injury sustained in Game 2. When Hintz was being slapped by the Edmonton defender Darnell Nurse, he was forced to bend over in agony shortly after and could not finish the game himself. Since then, his recovery process has been closely monitored.After skating through some optional drills on Monday and expressing the feeling of being good, Hintz sat out the Tuesday morning skate, with his status now remaining a game-time decision to keep fans and the coaching staff on the edge. Hintz was also listed as a potential returnee for Game 3, but since he exited during warmups, it might be that he is still battling some discomfort that limits his ability to skate, which is a core strength of his.Coach Pete DeBoer prefaced that his comments would be cautious and spoke of the healing process, opting to state that the final decision will come after the pre-game warmups. At age 28 and in his seventh season in the NHL, Hintz has learned to know his body well and make the right call: “I have played that many years that I know when it’s good and when it’s not”.Statistically speaking, his play should have had a big impact on postseason success; he has gathered 11 points in 15 games. He is second in scoring for Dallas behind teammate Mikko Rantanen, who has 21 points. His absence has been felt heavily, especially as the Stars have now lost two straight and have been outscored 9-1 through Games 2 and 3.Also Read: Roope Hintz’s personal life with his wife Kristina NiemiAs the Dallas Stars attempt to tie the series up, perhaps keeping Roope Hintz back on a short leash would be the needed impetus for this team. Momentum is slipping; every given shift counts—and so does the condition of one of their top performers. Game 4 may well rest on Hintz’s last-minute verdict.
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