Robertson, Heikanen should return in the 2nd round for stars

Dallas – Jason Robertson and Miro Heikanen, each of whom missed the entire western conference for the Dallas Stars, will probably return from an injury in the second round, although coach Pete Deboer is not certain when this will be.

“I think they will both see them play in the second round, but I don't know if it will be game 1 or game 3 or game 5,” said Deboer, after eliminating the Colorado avalanche in game 7 on Saturday. “I look at them both every day, but there are still a few hurdles. It depends on when we start the series, how much time we have between now and play. We will have a little better idea when we get closer.”

The stars will play the winner of the game 7 on Sunday between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues (7:00 p.m. et; CBC, TVAS, SN, TBS, Max, FDSNMW).

“They take two important players from the positioning of everyone and their team looks different. What I liked about it was, we look different, but we found a way, and that's the most important part,” said Deboer. “To get the two boys out of our line -up, and what they mean for us in every facet of our games, and still find a way for the group not to use them as an excuse and to fight and grind. I couldn't be proud of our group because we had to do it in a different way.”

Robertson suffered an injury with a lower body in the final of the regular season, a defeat against Nashville Predators on April 16. The 25-year-old striker initially led in third place with 35 goals in 82 games with 80 points behind Mikko Rantannen (88) and Matt Duchee (82).

Heikans suffered a knee injury when he collided on January 28 with Vegas Golden Knights striker, Mark Stone, and missed the last 32 games of the regular season on February 4th. The initial schedule for his recovery was three to four months. The 25-year-old defender had 25 points in 50 games (five goals, 20 templates) and an average of 25:10 ice age per game, the fifth sub-defender in the NHL.

“If you lose two boys who are as important to our team as these two boys, don't get many teams through,” said Stars Wyatt Johnston. “I think it only shows the resilience and the depth we have. Everyone had to cover them holes. It was great. Hopefully we will bring them back as soon as possible, because although we can try to fill these holes, they are two amazing players.”