Stars' Roope Hintz injury affects which games?

Roope Hintz out for Games 1 and 2 vs. Wild

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will not play in the opening two games of the Western Conference first-round series against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury.

The injury news pushes immediate questions about Dallas’s forward rotation and shot creation early in the series. With Games 1 and 2 the first opportunity to establish home-ice and tempo control, Hintz’s absence means the Stars will have to lean more heavily on other lines for scoring and puck pressure.

What this changes in the series

• Minutes reshuffle: Coaches typically respond to star absences by increasing playing time for healthy teammates and adjusting line combinations.
• Matchup adjustments: If Hintz would have been used against specific Minnesota matchups, those responsibilities likely shift to other centers or wing options.
• Early-series leverage: The first two games can set the tone—especially if one team feels it can dictate physicality and offensive zone time.

Next step

It’s still limited to the first two games. Additional updates on whether Hintz can return after that initial window were not provided in the available information.