Roope Hintz activated, set to return vs. Avalanche in key Friday matchup

Roope Hintz was activated from injured reserve and will return to the Dallas Stars lineup for Friday's game against the Colorado Avalanche (8 p. m. ET), ending a brief absence caused by an illness that placed him on IR on Feb. 25 and cost him four games. Hintz enters the matchup with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) this season.

Roope Hintz returns to top-line center after Olympic run

Hintz had not played since before the NHL break for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics; he posted four points (one goal, three assists) in six games to help Finland win the bronze medal. roope hintz said he was slowed by the illness but is feeling better: “It took a little bit longer than I was hoping for, but it got me really bad. I’m finally feeling good. ”

Coach Glen Gulutzan will slot Hintz into the lineup for Friday’s 8 p. m. ET puck drop, replacing Arttu Hyry, who was loaned to Texas. Jake Oettinger is scheduled to start in goal for the Stars in that game.

New acquisitions won’t dress Friday

Dallas' two trade-deadline additions — forward Michael Bunting and defenseman Tyler Myers — will not play in Friday’s game. Gulutzan said the organization has been working the newcomers into the system and getting them acclimated: “We went through a bunch of video today with those guys. Just getting them acclimated with our systems and the way we play. ”

The team expects the new players to be ready to debut on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Where the Stars stand and what’s next

The Stars enter Friday on a franchise-record, 10-game win streak and sit six points behind Colorado, which holds a game in hand. The Avalanche matchup opens a six-game homestand for Dallas and represents a chance to close the gap in the Central Division race.

Dallas will face Colorado at 8 p. m. ET on Friday, then returns home later in the weekend when the new acquisitions are expected to make their debuts in Sunday’s game against Chicago.