Heiskanen's Outlet Pass Decides 3-2 Stars Victory Over Jets
After playing 29 minutes and 20 seconds, the Finn turned a defensive block into the assist for Roope Hintz's overtime winner.
By Alina Marshall ·
Miro Heiskanen did not score Thursday night, but his distribution decided the outcome. Following a block by Jason Robertson that neutralized a Winnipeg threat in overtime, Heiskanen launched the puck to Roope Hintz. Hintz scored on the subsequent breakaway at 3:47 of the extra period, securing a 3-2 victory for Dallas at American Airlines Center.
The sequence demonstrated how quickly possession can shift in the final minutes. Robertson first lost the puck, creating a chance for Winnipeg, before stopping the follow-up shot. That shared recovery allowed Heiskanen to change the direction of play, turning a defensive action into an immediate offensive opportunity for Hintz.
The decisive moment occurred after a demanding shift for Dallas's defense. With Esa Lindell inactive, Heiskanen logged 29 minutes and 20 seconds of ice time. Thomas Harley played 28 minutes and 27 seconds. The next most active defenseman was Lian Bichsel at 17 minutes and 47 seconds, while Nils Lundkvist, Tyler Myers, and Kyle Capobianco also saw time.
These totals indicate a heavy reliance on the top pair, though they do not define a permanent pairing structure for the season. The workload was necessary given the absence of Lindell, a factor that will likely influence future roster decisions as the team manages fatigue.
Dallas struggled to convert its dominance in shots into a lead before the late stages. The Stars outshot Winnipeg 38-19, yet Connor Johnston opened the scoring early in the second period. Gabriel Vilardi and Kyle Connor later extended the Jets' lead. Dallas trailed until Hintz scored a six-on-five power play goal with two minutes remaining in regulation to force overtime.
Winnipeg goalie Connor Skinner made 35 saves, keeping the game close despite the disparity in shot volume. Heiskanen finished the night with five shots, one blocked shot, and the game-winning assist. Thomas Harley did not score, highlighting that their defensive workload and positioning were as valuable as any goal in a game decided by a single finish.
The immediate question for coaching staff is how to distribute this load moving forward. No return date for Lindell has been set, and the current rotation remains a temporary adjustment to an immediate personnel gap.
Source: Plano Weekly
