Dallas Stars head to Minnesota for Game 3 without top‑line center Roope Hintz. The 29‑year‑old has missed every contest since a lower‑body injury on March 6 against Colorado, and a recent setback kept him off the flight. Coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed Hintz will sit out both Games 3 and 4, leaving the Stars short‑handed as the series evens at 1‑1 still tight.

Minnesota opened the matchup with a 6‑1 rout, but Dallas answered on Monday with a 4‑2 victory, forcing the tie. Hintz’s injury occurred when Nathan MacKinnon collided with him along the boards, leaving the Finnish international clutching the back of his left leg and unable to weight‑bear. Gulutzan noted the winger has not returned to solo skating yet for the season.

Gulutzan hinted the earliest Hintz could rejoin is Game 5, when the series shifts back to Dallas next week. His absence forces coach to reshuffle lines, relying more on secondary scoring from Tyler Seguin and Joe Pavelski. Without the play‑making center, the Stars must sustain their recent offensive output to stay ahead of the Wild in the tightly contested series.