Stars optimistic about Heiskanen's return for Game 4

Miro Heiskanen suffered a facial cut when struck by a puck in Game 3 against the Seattle Kraken and has yet to be declared a player for Game 4.

And while there seems to be optimism that he will be ready, the availability of the minute-munching defenseman could definitely be a huge factor for the remainder of this series.

"I would call him day-to-day. We'll see how he feels tomorrow," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "Twenty-four hours makes a big difference with those type of things."

Seattle took a 7-2 win in Game 3, largely with Heiskanen out of the game, and took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. A Kraken win in Game 4 at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday would put the Stars in a very deep hole. A Stars win would even the series and give Dallas two of the remaining three games at home.

"You don't replace a guy like that," DeBoer said. "In our group he's really unique just because he has those skills. We don't have three or four guys like that. I mean, no one in the league does, but he's the one guy on our team that really makes plays under pressure to create offense, starting in our end of the ice. He has that ability. I think that's special and unique."

DeBoer stated last week that he was disappointed Heiskanen wasn't a finalist for the Norris Trophy. The 23-year-old defenseman has been a solid defender since being drafted third overall in 2017, but he added a significant scoring boost this season. Heiskanen last year had a career-best of 36 points in 70 games. This year, he pushed that to 73 points in 78 games.

Heiskanen has been lacking the offensive numbers in the past, but the fact he increased his output this year puts him in the Norris conversation. However, DeBoer said there are many other traits that should make one consider Heiskanen to be one of the best defensemen in the league.

"The Norris is for the best defenseman in the league and not just the highest scoring defenseman in the league," DeBoer said. "For me, the best defenseman in the league gets the toughest assignments every night, shutting down the best players on the other team, killing penalties late in games, blocking shots. I think all of those things should go into that bucket when you're picking that guy, and I think Miro checks boxes in all of those areas."

DeBoer is in his first season coaching the Stars and said even he is learning about Heiskanen this year.

"I didn't know Miro before this year, other than watching from the opposing bench, but what has impressed me most about him is his competitiveness," DeBoer said. "He's ultra-competitive. He wants to win. He wants to be out there all of the time making a difference. There hasn't been one situation where he has taken a step back. I think he wanted this responsibility and now that he has it, he's enjoying it.

The Stars certainly struggled on Tuesday when Heiskanen left the game early in the second period, and not just technically, but emotionally too. Even with missing two periods in Game 3, Heiskanen still is second in the league for playoff time on ice at 27:41. He is a key element to the Stars' group of defensemen functioning properly and is a necessary component against a speedy Seattle team who wants to get in on the forecheck and pressure the Stars blueliners.

"He's a big piece for us for sure," Stars forward Mason Marchment said. "He's our horse back there. We're hoping he's going to be back and ready to go, but obviously hate to see that."

Forward Wyatt Johnston added, "He makes a huge difference. I think he's one of the best D-men in the league, and he definitely could be the best D-man in the league. It's tough to replace a guy like that, especially playing almost 30 minutes a night. I think it's just a matter of guys stepping up when he's out, different guys getting more opportunities. It was kind of a similar situation when Joe was out, just different guys needing to step up."

When Joe Pavelski missed five games in the first round because of a concussion, Tyler Seguin jumped up on the top line and played well. In Game 3, Colin Miller and Thomas Harley received extra power play time and responded well. If Heiskanen can't play in Game 4, the Stars will need a big step up from the entire defense corps. One player alone can't pick up all that slack.

"If he's not in the lineup, we'll miss that," DeBoer said. "But that's this time of year, you've got to have next man up, and someone has to be ready to go."

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Video: DeBoer on the next-man-up mentality is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter Video: DeBoer on the next-man-up mentality