Hiskanen returns for stars in game 4 of the Western 2nd round

Dallas – Miro Heikanen was activated on Tuesday from the long -term injured reserve and returned from a knee injury for the Dallas Stars in game 4 of the second round of the Western Conference against the Winnipeg Jets in the American Airlines Center.

Heikans hadn't played since January 28th, and the initial timeline for recovery was 3-4 months. Nevertheless, the stars took fifth place in the NHL (50-26-6) in the regular season, defeated the Colorado Avalanche in seven games in the first round and led the jets in this best-of-7 series with 2: 1.

“In my opinion, the best defender in the NHL,” said Dalla's goalkeeper Jake Oettinger. “Whenever you can insert such a man, it is obviously a big boost. As a goalkeeper, I particularly glad to have him back. I mean, the boys who filled for him have done an unreal job to bring us to this point and so, so only the fact that you can play so well and then add a man so well.”

Stars coach Pete Deboer said he wanted to alleviate expectations because Hiskanen described a “severe knee operation” and missed 3 1/2 months.

But Hiskanen led the stars in the average ice age (25:10) and led Dalla's defenses with 25 points (five goals, 20 templates) in 50 games before his injury.

Dallas has reached the final of the Western Conference in the last two seasons. In these two Stanley Cup Playoff runs combined, Hiskanen led the stars with 28:00 average ice age and their defenders with 28 points (seven goals, 21 templates) in 38 games.

“Obviously he is a fantastic player, her best defender,” said Jets Center Mark Scheifele. “Obviously he has been on the road for a while. Obviously it is a big boost for your line -up, so we have to be even better.”

Striker Mikko Rantannen played against Heikanen as a member of the avalanche for years.

“It is difficult because he is such a good skater, a clever player, rarely mistakes,” said Rantannen, who was traded on the stars by the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7.

The stars dressed 11 strikers and seven defenders for game 4, which could give rantons more ice age, who in 10 games lead the playoffs with 18 points (nine goals, nine templates) in the last six games.

“I think we somehow saw it when they gone 12 and six,” said Scheifele. “Rantene's kind of type of different lines, depending on the penalty and power games and things.

Before the game, the star defender Cody Ceci said that it could be a great way to integrate Heikans into the line -up.

“It is never easy to come back from an injury, but he worked hard,” said Ceci. “He worked hard when we played. He is ready to go.”