Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars is now sidelined indefinitely after undergoing knee surgery, following an injury sustained during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Heiskanen, who was poised to represent Finland in the upcoming Four Nations Face-Off, will not participate due to this injury. Teammates Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell were also selected for the Finnish team.

The Stars are currently in a strong position this season, sitting second in the Central Division with a record of 34-17-1 and riding a six-game winning streak. In Heiskanen's absence, his teammates, including Wyatt Johnston and goalie Jake Oettinger, expressed the need for collective effort to fill the void left by their star defenseman.

Heiskanen leads the team with an average ice time of 25:10, contributing significantly with 25 points this season. Coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the challenge of replacing a player of Heiskanen's caliber, highlighting the need for the entire roster to elevate their game during this critical stretch.

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is week-to-week with a knee injury sustained during a recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Heiskanen, who left the game in the third period after a collision with Mark Stone, is also set to miss the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

Heiskanen leads Stars defensemen with 25 points this season and is heavily relied upon for his significant ice time and blocked shots. Coach Pete DeBoer confirmed that Heiskanen underwent an MRI and is consulting with a specialist for further evaluation.

His absence will require other team members to step up, according to goalie Jake Oettinger and forward Wyatt Johnston, emphasizing the collective effort needed to fill the void left by one of the league's top defensemen.

The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for a potentially transformative offseason, eyeing high-profile free agents like Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner to bolster their roster and relieve some pressure off rookie sensation Connor Bedard. General Manager Kyle Davidson is exploring options, including veterans such as Brad Marchand and John Tavares, despite the latter's age not aligning with the team's immediate rebuilding timeline.

With the possibility of losing Philipp Kurashev and the challenge of moving Seth Jones' hefty contract, the Blackhawks face a pivotal moment. They have to navigate financial constraints while also considering the potential of acquiring players via offer sheets, with names like Wyatt Johnston, Marco Rossi, and Matthew Knies surfacing as intriguing prospects.

Wyatt Johnston showcased his exceptional skill by scoring just 20 seconds into overtime, completing a natural hat trick and leading the Dallas Stars to an impressive 4-3 comeback victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars rallied from a 3-1 deficit, marking their fourth win in five games. Johnston's performance solidified his status as a rising star, having previously recorded a hat trick against the San Jose Sharks last season.

Mavrik Bourque contributed with a goal, while Roope Hintz provided two assists, and goalie Jake Oettinger made 25 saves to secure the victory. The Golden Knights' efforts included contributions from Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev, both of whom scored goals, alongside Tomas Hertl's goal that extended his point streak. The game also saw Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen exit after sustaining an injury during the game. This comeback was particularly notable for the Stars, who had previously struggled when trailing after two periods, holding a record of 0-13-0 in such situations prior to this match. The Golden Knights, who had been dominant with a 19-2-0 record when leading after two periods, experienced an unexpected downfall.