Stars coach Peter DeBoer says Roope Hintz is ‘possible’ for Game 2

Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters on Friday morning that top-line centre Roope Hintz could play in Game 2 of his team’s Western Conference Final series against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Hintz, 27, has been out of the Stars’ lineup since Game 4 of their Round 2 series against the Colorado Avalanche, in which he suffered an upper-body injury after playing just 6:35.

As DeBoer confirmed in his media availability, Hintz skated and handled the puck on Friday morning and could be in play to return to his usual position between Jason Robertson and Logan Stankoven as the Stars look to even the series with the Oilers in Game 2.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also discussed the Hintz injury on Friday’s episode of 32 Thoughts – The Podcast: “I have a theory on Hintz. I think he’s a game or two away. I think Dallas was kind of thinking, if they won Game 1, they could rest him until Game 3 … I think it’s a hand thing for Hintz, I don’t know exactly what.”

Connor McDavid scored the winning goal in the second overtime period on Thursday as the Oilers won Game 1 of the West Final by a 3-2 final score. The Stars have now lost seven consecutive series-opening games, dating back to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.

Tyler Seguin scored both goals in Game 1 for Dallas, which fought back from a 2-0 deficit to force the extra time. The Oilers outshot the Stars by a 38-33 margin in the contest, with Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman scoring their other two goals.

McDavid’s winner came with just 32 seconds gone in the second overtime period, and after Jake Oettinger robbed him of a sure goal with an unbelievable paddle save earlier in sudden death. The Oilers captain now has three goals and 23 points in 13 playoff contests this year.

The Stars fell behind in both of their first two series in this year’s playoffs, going down 2-0 against the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1 before rallying to win the series in seven games. Then, even without Hintz for the latter half, the Stars won their Round 2 series against the Colorado Avalanche four games to two.

Before sustaining his injury, Hintz racked up two goals and six points through 11 games with the Stars in these playoffs. The Finnish centre managed 30 goals and 65 points in 80 games with the Stars during the 2023-24 regular season.