Stars defenseman set to return from lower-body injury

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is set to return to the lineup Thursday night after missing the last three weeks with a lower-body injury. 

Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas News reported that Stars head coach Pete DeBoer confirmed to the media Thursday morning that Heiskanen would be returning as he took reps in his normal spot on the power play and in the line rushes.

Heiskanen was sidelined earlier in January after he was hurt in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. He collided with his own goalie and had to leave the game. Heiskanen ended up missing 10 games while he was out of the lineup and despite missing him and star goaltender Jake Oettinger for a stretch, the Stars went 6-3-1 in those 10 games.

Dallas replaced Heiskanen’s minutes by committee rather than having one player try and fill his role. It worked well as Esa Lindell, Ryan Suter, Jani Hakanpää, and Nils Lundkvist all averaged 17 minutes of ice time per game while the team was playing at even strength. 

Thomas Harley also took a lot of extra time as well, his average ice time at even strength increased by over two minutes per game.

With Heiskanen back in the lineup, the Stars will be looking to close the gap in the Central Division as they currently occupy the third spot, sitting three points back of the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche.

Heiskanen should give Dallas a boost, even if he hasn’t matched his offensive pace from last season. The 24-year-old was having a terrific season before his injury with four goals and 23 assists in 37 games.