Dallas Faces New Concern as Roope Hintz Exits Game Shortly After Return
The Dallas Stars suffered an injury setback when forward Roope Hintz left the game against the Colorado Avalanche after appearing to hurt his leg during the second period.
Hintz had only recently returned to the lineup after missing several games due to illness. The forward had been activated from injured reserve and was playing his first game back since before the Olympic break.
However, his return was cut short when he went down during a play along the boards and had to be helped off the ice.
The Stars later confirmed that Hintz would not return to the game, raising concerns about the severity of the injury.
How the Roope Hintz Injury Happened
The injury occurred during the second period when Hintz became tangled with Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon along the corner boards.
During the collision, Hintz’s leg appeared to hyperextend awkwardly. After the play, he remained on the ice briefly and was clearly in discomfort.
Here’s the play where Roope Hintz was injured. He and Nathan MacKinnon got into it in the corner and he seemingly hyperextends his leg.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) March 7, 2026
This is how he looked getting helped off the ice. pic.twitter.com/Ayu6fB37D6
He was unable to skate off on his own and required assistance from the team staff to leave the ice.
This immediately sparked concern for Dallas, especially because the forward had just returned to the lineup.
Timing Makes Injury Even More Frustrating for Dallas
The injury came at a difficult moment for the Stars.
Hintz had just returned after missing four games due to illness. He had not played since before the Olympic break when he represented Finland in international competition.
The Stars had been hoping to get their top-line center back fully healthy for the final stretch of the season.
Instead, his return lasted only part of one game before another injury forced him out of action again.
Roope Hintz 2025–26 Season Performance
Before the injury, Hintz had been one of the most productive forwards for the Dallas Stars this season.
Roope Hintz Season Stats
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 52 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 29 |
| Points | 44 |
His offensive contributions have made him one of the most important players in the Stars lineup.
Olympic Participation Before NHL Return
Hintz also represented Finland at the Winter Olympics before returning to NHL action.
He contributed to Finland’s bronze medal run and played a key role during the tournament.
Olympic Performance Overview
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Team | Finland |
| Medal | Bronze |
| Tournament Games | 6 |
| Points | 4 (1 goal, 3 assists) |
Following the Olympic tournament, Hintz missed time due to illness before finally returning to the NHL lineup.
Dallas Already Dealing With Multiple Injuries
The Stars have been dealing with several roster challenges recently, particularly due to injuries suffered during the Olympic Games.
Forward Mikko Rantanen and center Radek Faksa both landed on injured reserve after getting hurt while representing their national teams.
These injuries played a role in Dallas strengthening its roster before the NHL trade deadline.
Dallas Stars Injury Situation
| Player | Injury Situation |
|---|---|
| Roope Hintz | Left leg injury vs Avalanche |
| Mikko Rantanen | Lower-body injury |
| Radek Faksa | Upper-body injury followed by setback |
Because of these injuries, Dallas recently added depth players through trades in order to strengthen both their offense and defense.
At the moment, the exact severity of the injury remains unclear.
Read more: Dylan Larkin Injury Update
The Stars are expected to evaluate his condition further in the coming days. His availability for upcoming games, including the next matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, may depend on how his recovery progresses.
For Dallas, the biggest hope is that the injury scare proves minor and that Hintz can return quickly to help the team in the critical final stretch of the season.
FAQs
What happened to Roope Hintz in the Avalanche game?
Roope Hintz injured his leg after getting tangled with Nathan MacKinnon along the boards and left the game in the second period.
Did Roope Hintz return to the game?
No. The Dallas Stars confirmed he would not return after leaving the ice.
Was Roope Hintz recently injured before this game?
He had missed four games due to illness before returning to the lineup.
How many points does Roope Hintz have this season?
He has recorded 44 points with 15 goals and 29 assists in 52 games.
