Stars’ Roope Hintz a game-time decision for Game 4

The Dallas Stars might be missing one of their top players once again.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, head coach Pete DeBoer stated that forward Roope Hintz will be a game-time decision for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers.

Hintz hasn’t played since he was forced to leave Game 2 of the West Final after receiving a fierce slash from Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. Hintz was caught on the left leg and had to be helped off the ice by teammates and team training staff.

Nurse was originally assessed a five-minute major for slashing, but the penalty was reduced to a minor after a video review.

Hintz was on the ice during warm-ups for Game 3 in Edmonton on Sunday, but left the ice after a few minutes and was later ruled out of the contest. Dallas went on to lose 6-1, falling behind the series 2-1.

Following the 3-0 in the second game of the semifinal series, DeBoer made it known that he wasn’t too fond of the diminished penalty against Nurse after one of his top players was forced to leave the game.

“Does anyone in this room think that if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, that it’s not a five-minute major?” DeBoer said. “That’s my answer to your question.”

Hintz has appeared in the first 15 games of the Stars’ postseason and has been one of the team’s top scorers. While the Finn isn’t scoring at the same clip as fellow countryman Mikko Rantanen, with five goals and six assists for 11 points, Hintz is tied for second on the Stars in playoff scoring with Thomas Harley.

Hintz picked up an assist in Dallas’ 6-3 victory in Game 1 against the Oilers. He posted seven points in the Central Division Semifinals against the Colorado Avalanche before scoring a goal and an assist against the Winnipeg Jets in the second round.

Puck drop for Game 4 from Edmonton is scheduled for a little after 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.