Stars defenceman Chris Tanev a game-time decision for Game 5, DeBoer ‘optimistic’ he’ll play
By Mike Gould
1 month agoDallas Stars defenceman Chris Tanev is officially a game-time decision for Friday’s pivotal fifth game of the Western Conference Final between the Stars and Edmonton Oilers.
The 34-year-old defenceman left Game 4 of the series midway through the second period after blocking a wrist shot by Oilers forward Evander Kane with his right skate. After the game, he was spotted at the Edmonton airport wearing a walking boot on his right foot.
Despite the injury, Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said in his media availability on Friday morning that he’s “optimistic” Tanev will be good to go for Game 5 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Tanev has played an enormous role in helping the Stars make it to within two games of this year’s Stanley Cup Final. The rugged defenceman has appeared in all 17 games thus far for the Stars in these playoffs, collecting one assist and breaking up countless odd-man rushes while averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time per night.
The Stars originally acquired Tanev from the Calgary Flames ahead of the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, a conditional 2026 third-round pick, and defence prospect Artem Grushnikov. The Flames will receive the conditional pick if Dallas beats Edmonton to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
The Oilers defeated the Stars in Game 4 of the West Final on Wednesday, overcoming an early 2-0 deficit to win by a 5-2 score. Former Stars forward Mattias Janmark scored the winning goal on a shorthanded odd-man rush during the game’s second period.
Tanev has developed a reputation over his long NHL career as being one of the league’s toughest and most dedicated players, battling through any number of injuries to help his team win at all costs. Through 792 career games with the Stars, Flames, and Vancouver Canucks, Tanev has collected 33 goals and 190 points; he’s added one goal and 12 points in 58 playoff contests.
Game 5 between the Stars and Oilers is slated to take place in Dallas on Friday at 6:30 p.m. MT, with both teams having the opportunity to take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 in Edmonton on Sunday night.
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