EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz was struck by a puck shot by Edmonton’s Adam Henrique during Saturday's match, leaving the ice with his face covered by blood.
Hintz, extending his stick toward Henrique, was hit at the 10:45 mark of the second period when the wrist shot slipped under his visor, leading to the injury. Moments later, he lay on the ice, his face pressed against the towel as the medical team hurried to his side, helping him skate toward the dressing room as he covered his face.
The 28-year-old Finn had tallied 25 goals and 52 points this season, ranking among the Stars’ leading scorers. Unfortunately, the incident occurred during the pivotal rematch against the Edmonton Oilers, who were leading 4-1 at the time of the injury.
This game marked a significant occasion for the Dallas Stars, being the debut match for their recent acquisition, Mikko Rantanen, who made his mark early by recording a secondary assist on Wyatt Johnston's opening goal.
Rantanen was acquired during the trade deadline from the Carolina Hurricanes and immediately signed to an eight-year extension reportedly worth $96 million, matching his jersey number, which amplified the stakes for the Stars during this much-anticipated game.
For the Stars, Hintz’s injury is part of what appears to be a growing trend this season, as several players have faced facial injuries. Fellow teammates Matt Dumba, Matt Duchene, Mavrik Bourque, and Mason Marchment have all suffered similar fates throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
A source for the Stars confirmed Hintz would not return for the match, citing “upper body injury” as the reason. If the injury amounts to nothing severe, he may return for their next game against the Vancouver Canucks. The Stars' schedule provides them with time, as they are off until Thursday, March 14, allowing him to recover and potentially be back on the ice shortly after if the situation is manageable.
This injury, occurring during such a pivotal point of the season, could alter the dynamics for the Stars not just for this game but for the games to follow depending on how long Hintz could be sidelined. If he misses any substantial time, Rantanen might need to step up and shoulder more responsibility than initially expected.
Deflected shots are quite commonplace in hockey, and players often have to contend with the risk of injury, particularly to the face, as the sport remains notorious for its physical nature. The hope for fans and fellow teammates is for Hintz to recover quickly and get back to his stellar form where he enjoyed a six-game point streak leading up to this injury, during which he racked up three goals and 13 assists.
The Dallas Stars will play their next matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on Hintz’s recovery as well as how Rantanen adjusts to his role within the team moving forward.