DALLAS – The Dallas Stars are likely to see the return of defenseman Miro Heiskanen tonight, a development that could also mean more ice time for Mikko Rantanen. Neither scenario bodes well for the Winnipeg Jets.
Stars coach Peter DeBoer informed reporters that he anticipates Heiskanen, their premier defenseman who has been sidelined since January following knee surgery, will be back in the lineup for Game 4 of their second-round National Hockey League playoff series against the Jets.
Dallas currently holds a 2-1 lead over Winnipeg in the series.
“Miro`s going to skate this morning, and then we`ll see how it goes,” DeBoer commented. “I anticipate he`ll play tonight if that goes well.”
To facilitate Heiskanen`s reintegration, DeBoer hinted at potentially using a lineup with seven defensemen and eleven forwards. The Stars are aiming to secure a win that would put them just one game away from eliminating the Jets, who finished the regular season as champions.
Addressing the less conventional lineup configuration, DeBoer stated, “The 11-seven thing is no big deal… It gives Mikko Rantanen some more ice time, so that`s an easy one.”
