The Dallas Stars headed into their first-round series dealing with two potential absences and one finally confirmed before the start of Game 1 last weekend.
Dallas split the opening two games against the Minnesota Wild, bouncing back with a 4-2 win after dropping the opener.
The Stars lost top blueliner Miro Heiskanen and middle-six forward Roope Hintz at the end of the regular season, although the former made his comeback in time for Game 1.
The series now shifts to Minnesota, tied 1-1, with the Stars leaning on depth scoring and still adjusting their offensive lines with Hintz having missed the first two postseason games.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Hintz, who has not played since March 6 and has missed 22 games after suffering a lower-body injury against the Colorado Avalanche, experienced a setback during recovery and has yet to return to skating.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan provided the latest update as the team headed to Minnesota on Tuesday.
“He’s not traveling,” Gulutzan said. “Game 3, he won’t be there; Game 4, I would say, is very doubtful.”
Gulutzan added that the team is looking further ahead for a possible return window.
“Hopefully by the time we get back, we’re in a good spot and he’s in a good spot,” Gulutzan said.
Game 5 in Dallas is scheduled for Tuesday, giving Hintz one more week of recovery time.
The forward finished the season with 44 points in 53 games, playing a top-line role.
Game 3 between the Stars and the Wild is Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
