Stars Coach Confirms Heiskanen, Robertson Out for Game 7 vs. Avalanche

DALLAS, Texas (AP) — Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer confirmed on Friday that defenseman Miro Heiskanen and forward Jason Robertson will not play in Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche this Saturday at the American Airlines Center.

DeBoer made the announcement a day before the crucial matchup, aiming to clarify speculation over Heiskanen’s status, which had been labeled day-to-day since the series began. Heiskanen, who has been skating with the team, experienced more involvement in recent practices but is not game-ready.

“He’s just not ready,” DeBoer stated. “If it’s either of those two guys, it doesn’t matter. You’re sticking them back in the lineup. They’re two of our best players — arguably our best offensive player and one of the best defensemen in the world.” His comments indicate a commitment to long-term health over immediate game participation.

Heiskanen, who underwent surgery after a hit earlier in the season, has not played for several months. The Stars, however, have managed to adapt without him, winning crucial games in the series without their star players.

The team’s performance so far astonished many, with Dallas managing to win three out of the last four games, despite missing both Heiskanen and Robertson. “We believe we can win without him,” a confident DeBoer said.

The Stars’ defense has struggled at times, facing heavy shot counts in recent games, and DeBoer acknowledged that they need better execution. “I think we can do a little better job than we did today,” Stars forward Mikko Rantanen commented after a game where they allowed 48 shots.

Despite the absence of key players, the Stars are ready for their do-or-die game, drawing on the cohesive effort they’ve shown throughout the series. “We’ve got the lineup that we’ve got,” DeBoer concluded. “We’re comfortable with that.”