Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, right, knocks over Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz, left, in the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, right, knocks over Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz, left, in the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz is out for Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night because of an upper-body injury.
Stars coach Pete DeBoer said after the morning skate that Radek Faksa will be back in the lineup.
Faksa hasn't played since Game 1 against the Avs on May 7, two nights after . He had missed four games before that because of an undisclosed injury.
A victory on Wednesday night would send the Stars to the Western Conference Final for the second year in a row.
Hintz has two goals and four assists in 11 games this post-season. He had a against the Avalanche.
In the on Monday night, Hintz played only 6 1/2 minutes. He left after blocking a shot in the first period, after earlier going down hard when cross-checked by Nathan MacKinnon.
“We essentially played without him the last game. … We shifted everybody around last game, so it's not a major adjustment,” DeBoer said. “He left early and then (Craig) Smith left for part of the game. So we were down to 10 forwards for the middle portions of that game. So, you know, tonight will be a luxury to have 12 guys.”
