Stars lose key defender to lower-body injury

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen left Tuesday nights game against the Vegas Golden Knights after suffering a lower-body injury in a nasty collision with Mark Stone , per Sportsnet .

Stone was tripped by Stars forward Roope Hintz on the play and lost his balance, slamming headfirst into Heiskanens knee.

Heiskanen reached for his left knee almost immediately and was in agony as he was escorted off the ice by his teammates before heading up the tunnel to the Stars dressing room.

He did not return.

Stone was uninjured on the play but was given a two-minute minor penalty for tripping.

The minor penalty call irked Stars head coach Peter DeBoer, who wondered why the refs didnt call a five-minute major to review the incident.

DeBoer then added that hes coached Stone before and knows he isnt a dirty player, but didnt understand why the refs didnt have a second look.

Heiskanen is expected to play big minutes for Finland at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off after being named to the team last June.

He was among the first six players announced, but now his availability is in question.

The 25-year-old remains one of the top defensemen in the NHL, finishing top 12 in Norris Trophy consideration in four of the past five seasons.

While his offensive numbers have dipped this season to five goals and 20 assists in 50 games, he remains one of the NHLs best two-way defensemen.

The Stars have yet to provide an update on Heiskanens status , however, it is safe to assume he will undergo evaluation at some point in the next day or two.

Dallas doesnt play again until Friday against Vancouver.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission..

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