The Dallas Stars are crossing their fingers for the health of their alternate captain.
Defenceman Miro Heiskanen is set to miss the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury, but the team is hopeful he'll be able to return for Game 1 of the playoffs, head coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters Saturday.
Heiskanen underwent an MRI on Friday, confirming that the defenceman would be out until the playoffs at least, but Gulutzan added that there wouldn't be an update for another few days.
The blueliner was hurt in the first period of Thursday's win over the Minnesota Wild following a check from Ryan Hartman and exited immediately. He did not return to the contest.
The 26-year-old has nine goals and 54 assists through 77 games this season.
Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot and is jostling with the Minnesota Wild for seeding in the competitive Central Division. The Stars are four points ahead of the third-place Wild with three games to go.
