For the first time in NHL history, five Finns took the ice to hear two anthems of nations other than their own played before the puck dropped for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Mikko Rantanen, Mikael Granlund, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell and Roope Hintz started as a five-man unit for the Dallas Stars — a lineup fans have been waiting for since Rantanen and Granlund were acquired and Heiskanen had knee surgery.
It may be some time before that five-Finn lineup returns to the ice.
Hintz, the Stars’ top-line center, suffered a concerning leg injury in the 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night, leaving the game early after he was unable to put any pressure on his left leg.
Just under four minutes into the third period, Hintz cross-checked Oilers forward Darnell Nurse in the back, though it wasn’t a penalty, and Nurse retaliated by slashing Hintz in the leg.
The Stars center was left writhing on the ice in pain. His teammates and Stars staff had to help him off the ice and down the tunnel. He never returned.
“I think there was some intent, obviously,” Stars forward Mason Marchment said. “He’s one of our best players, and now he’s done for the game.”
Nurse’s slash was originally called a major penalty but was downgraded to a minor. Stars coach Pete DeBoer and Hintz’s teammates were frustrated by the officiating in that moment.
“Does anyone in this room think if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that it’s not a five-minute major?” DeBoer said.
The NHL rulebook also states that when injury occurs because of slashing, “a major penalty must be assessed” and “whenever a major penalty is assessed for slashing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.”
His health will now be a major concern for the Stars as they move forward in this Western Conference finals series. DeBoer did not have an update on Hintz’s status postgame, just over 12 hours before the team boards its flight to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.
The Stars were the healthiest they’ve been since December and had their most complete roster all year entering this round after returning Heiskanen and Jason Robertson from injuries. Few teams can say they’ve gotten healthier as the playoffs go on, but the Stars found themselves in a unique position.
However, that fully healthy lineup lasted just over five periods of play. And for a team that’s struggled to find offense at times this playoffs, the last thing they needed was to lose one of their top offensive generators.
“We need him in the lineup,” Stars center Wyatt Johnston said. “He’s just an awesome player. So good on both ends of the ice, so you don’t want to be without a guy like that.”
While some players like Robertson are still trying to get back to full speed or find their first goal in what feels like weeks, Hintz has been among Dallas’ most consistent contributors.
He has 11 points (five goals and six assists) in 15 postseason games and averages 18:11 of ice time.
DeBoer has pushed the buttons throughout this postseason run with his lines, making adjustments throughout the three series. That was the case again Friday night when three of the Stars’ four lines changed.
But since early in the first round, his top line of Granlund, Hintz and Rantanen has stayed the same. With that line generating three hat tricks and numerous other goals, there was no need to split them up, even when Robertson, who typically plays on the top line, returned to the lineup.
In Hintz’s absence, the Stars’ one consistent line will now be missing a key piece. That’s a major concern for a Stars team that’s both struggled to generate scoring chances and convert on them.
Dallas was shut out for the fourth time this postseason Friday night and first time at home after being shut out just once in 82 regular-season games. Against an Oilers team that scores 3.83 goals per game, Dallas will need much more offensively, especially on the road at Rogers Place.
With Hintz’s status unknown, the Stars are taking some comfort in knowing they’ve been here before. They’ve persevered through major injuries to Heiskanen, Marchment, Nils Lundkvist and Tyler Seguin this year, as well as minor injuries to about half their lineup at various points in the year.
“We wouldn’t be sitting here if we weren’t able to deal with that or prepared to deal with that,” DeBoer said.
They’ve persevered before and will need to do so again.
Otherwise, the Stars could return home from Edmonton for Game 5 at American Airlines Center in six days with their season on the line.