The Dallas Stars survived a grueling seven-game series against the Colorado Avalanche to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Their reward? Facing the NHL’s top team from the regular season in Round 2.
Luckily for Dallas, however, reinforcements are on the way to face the Winnipeg Jets in the form of the expected returns by two of its top stars — forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen.
Both skated with the team as the Stars practiced Tuesday before heading to Winnipeg for Game 1.
Robertson was put on a line with Mason Marchment and Wyatt Johnston, according to reports, as Pete DeBoer juggled some forward groups after an occasionally bumpy offensive showing against the Avs.
“I liked the [Roope] Hintz line, particularly the last three, four games. I thought they started to get some chemistry and get something going. Those other lines I thought were spotty,“ DeBoer said.
“I think we’re just looking for some more consistency out of some of the combinations.”
But will Robertson be an active part of those combinations on Wednesday?
“He’s close,” DeBoer said. “We’ll see tomorrow morning. It’s all in his recovery and how he feels tomorrow.”
Robertson sustained a knee injury in the regular season finale and was initially declared week-to-week. He did skate in Dallas, though, while the Stars traveled to and from Colorado during Round 1.
While speaking with reporters, DeBoer also said Colin Blackwell would “probably” not be in the lineup Wednesday, another seemingly positive indicator in favor of Robertson’s return.
Heiskanen, who has not played since Jan. 28, has traveled and practiced with the Stars during the postseason but also hasn’t yet been cleared to play.
Heiskanan had 25 points in 50 games this regular season. Robertson finished with 35 goals and 45 assists.
