The Dallas Stars are in the thick of their toughest stretch this season, and there's no sugarcoating it - they’ve dropped nine of their last eleven games and just wrapped up a road trip with a 2-3-1 record. It’s been a mix of issues, from inconsistent goaltending to a lack of offensive punch, but one area that’s consistently undercutting their game? The blue line.
Defensive struggles have been front and center for Dallas, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Thomas Harley, who had been one of their more promising young defensemen earlier in the year, has hit a rough patch over the past couple of months.
Nils Lundkvist has been banged up, and Lian Bichsel has been sidelined with a long-term injury. Add in the recent absence of Miro Heiskanen - who’s missed the last two games due to a personal matter - and it’s no wonder the Stars have looked out of sync in their own zone.
There’s some light at the end of the tunnel, though. The team is expecting Heiskanen back in the lineup for their upcoming matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
That’s a big deal. Heiskanen is the anchor of this defensive unit - a calm, mobile presence who can log heavy minutes, drive play, and stabilize things when the game starts to get chaotic.
His return could provide the kind of spark this group desperately needs heading into the Olympic break.
As for Bichsel, he’s been out since November 30 with an ankle injury - the same one that kept Lundkvist out earlier in the season. The team initially gave a 6-to-8-week recovery timeline, which puts him right on the edge of a possible return.
There was even a light-hearted moment when it was revealed that the towering 6-foot-7 defenseman was using the same knee scooter that Lundkvist had used during his recovery. It’s a small detail, but one that shows the camaraderie - and the shared adversity - this blue line has dealt with all season.
The Stars don’t need a miracle to turn things around, but they do need stability. Getting Heiskanen back is a step in the right direction.
If Bichsel can return soon and Lundkvist stays healthy, Dallas could finally start icing a more consistent defensive corps. And with the Olympic break looming, that timing couldn’t be better.