Dallas Stars forward sustained a facial injury during Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers after being hit by a deflected puck. The incident occurred midway through the second period when Hintz tried to block a shot from Oilers forward Adam Henrique. As he extended his stick to intercept the puck, it deflected upward, slipping under his visor and striking him in the face.
Roope Hintz immediately dropped to the ice, holding a towel to his bleeding face. Medical staff promptly attended to him before helping him off the ice and into the dressing room. He did not return for the rest of the game, and the Stars later announced that he had suffered an upper-body injury.
After the game, head coach Pete DeBoer informed reporters that Hintz was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. DeBoer noted that the injury is not expected to be long-term, but Hintz’s availability for upcoming games remains uncertain.
The 28-year-old Finnish center has been a crucial player for the Stars this season, recording 25 goals and 27 assists over 58 games. His absence could be a significant setback for Dallas as they push through the remainder of their schedule. The team recently strengthened their roster by acquiring Finnish forward Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes in a major trade and signing him to an eight-year, $96 million contract extension. With Hintz sidelined, Rantanen may need to take on a more prominent role in the team’s offensive game plan.
The Stars are set to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Hintz’s status for the matchup remains uncertain, and the team will closely monitor his condition as they await further medical updates.