Stars D Miro Heiskanen returns from 10-game injury absence

The Dallas Stars will welcome back top-pair defenseman Miro Heiskanen from a lower-body injury when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

Heiskanen, 24, has sat out 10 games since sustaining the injury Jan. 4 against Colorado when colliding with teammate Scott Wedgewood.

Heiskanen had four goals and 23 assists in 37 games before his injury. He averages a team-high 25:03 of ice time per game.

"It was a long three weeks, but I'm really happy to be back," Heiskanen told reporters.

Dallas went 6-3-1 in the 10 games Heiskanen missed. The Stars reside three points behind the Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets, who share the Central Division lead.

In six NHL seasons since Dallas selected him third overall in 2017, Heiskanen has tallied 231 career points (48 goals, 183 assists) over 391 games.