NHL Status Report: Hintz will be out Games 1, 2 for Stars in West 1st Round

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz will not play for the Dallas Stars in Games 1 or 2 of their Western Conference First Round series against the Minnesota Wild. Hintz has not played since March 6, when he sustained a lower-body injury during a battle along the boards with Nathan MacKinnon in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Hintz did not put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off the ice by a teammate and a team trainer. Hintz, who has not resumed skating yet, had 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 53 games this season. “Certainly, Roope won’t be in Games 1 or 2," coach Glen Gulutzan said. "We don’t know when he could come back or if he could come back. We’ll see." ... Dallas could also be without defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury. “Miro, we’re not sure yet. Haven’t got an update today," Gulutzan said. "We’ll probably know more in the next two days.” ... Forward Sam Steel is expected to return against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; MORE27, HBO MAX, Victory+, truTV, TNT) after missing nine games with an undisclosed injury.

Carolina Hurricanes

Pyotr Kochetkov will be available for the Hurricanes for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The goalie was supposed to return from a lower-body injury in a 2-1 win against the New York Islanders on Tusday, but due to a roster technicality, he was not available. Kochetkov has not played since Dec. 20 because of a lower-body injury, and coach Rod Brind'Amour said on Dec. 29 that Kochetkov was going to have surgery and would likely not play again this season. However, the 26-year-old played one period for Chicago against Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League on Friday and two periods against Rockford on Sunday. He is 6-2-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average, .899 save percentage and one shutout in nine games (eight starts) for the Hurricanes this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Brandon Hagel and Darren Raddysh are questionable to play for the Lightning in their regular-season finale against the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, MSG, TVAS2) because of undisclosed injuries. Each missed Tampa Bay’s 4-3 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. Hagel, a forward, scored in his return from a lower-body injury Saturday, a 2-1 win at the Boston Bruins. He had not played since March 31. Hagel ranks third for Tampa Bay with 74 points (36 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games. "He should be fine. Hopefully this is the last game he misses. Hopefully," coach Jon Cooper said before the game. Raddysh, who has missed the Lightning’s past two games, leads their defensemen with 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) in 72 games. He was replaced by Declan Carlile. "Let's try and stay healthy," Cooper said. "We know we're playing (in the playoffs) on the weekend, we just don't know who. It could be a multitude of teams."

Montreal Canadiens

Noah Dobson will miss the start of the playoffs because of an upper-body injury, the Canadiens announced before their 4-1 win at the Islanders on Sunday. The defenseman was injured blocking a shot in the second period of a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday and will be reevaluated in two weeks. Dobson has 47 points (12 goals, 35 assists) in 80 games and ranks third for Montreal (48-23-10) in time on ice per game (22:29). Defenseman David Reinbacher was recalled from Laval of the AHL.