Stars forward Roope Hintz will not travel to Minnesota with the team for Games 3 and 4 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said shortly before the team boarded its flight Tuesday afternoon that Hintz is officially out for Game 3 and “very doubtful” for Game 4.
“Hopefully, by the time we get back, we’re in a good spot, and he’s in a good spot,” Gulutzan added.
Hintz was injured during Dallas’ March 6 game against the Colorado Avalanche after a collision with Nathan MacKinnon. It was his first game back from the Olympic break after dealing with an illness for over a week. Hintz then suffered a setback in his recovery, as the Stars initially thought he would return ahead of the postseason.
Gulutzan said Sunday that he is not yet skating, either alone or with the group. Unless something drastically changes, it wouldn’t be surprising if he missed the entire first round.
Hintz had 44 points in 53 games for the Stars this season. He is Dallas’ top-line center, can play on the power play and penalty kill and is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL.
Gulutzan also provided an update on depth forward Nathan Bastian, who hasn’t played since March 28 because of a hand injury, saying he will travel with the team to Minnesota and begin skating with the group.
The Stars don’t expect to have Bastian back until the second round.