Stars’ Roope Hintz a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Oilers

As the Western Conference Final shifts to Edmonton, Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz is a game-time decision once again.

Stars head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters the news ahead of Monday night’s pivotal Game 3.

After being “a possibility” for Game 2, Hintz was considered a game-time decision leading up to Dallas’ 3-1 win, but was ruled out shortly before puck drop.

The Stars’ win evened the series at 1-1.

Hintz has been out of the lineup since leaving Game 4 of the Stars’ second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche with an upper-body injury.

“He’s not (Connor) McDavid, but what would (the Oilers) do if they took their first-line centre out of the lineup?” Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said Saturday when asked about Hintz’s impact on the team. “What would the Rangers be if you took (Mika) Zibanejad out of the lineup?

“It’s fairly obvious. (Hintz) is big, he skates, he’s a 200-foot player. He’s one of our best defensive players, one of our best penalty killers, creates offence… he’s physical.”

In 11 games this post-season, the 27-year-old has two goals and four assists. In the 2022-23 playoffs, Hintz scored 10 goals and had 24 points in 19 games.

Hintz is coming off his third straight 30-goal regular season, finishing second on the Stars in goals and tied for third in points.