While the Dallas Stars made good use of that first home game in the Western Conference finals, everything has gone downhill since then in this final battle against the Edmonton Oilers. And Sunday evening at Rogers Place was only a reminder of how downhill, with the Stars losing 6-1, with both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman scoring two goals each. Sure, the Oilers are still hopeful; it was only game 3 that they lost. They’ll only have to start worrying if game 4 goes downhill—which could likely be the case, as that takes place on Oilers turf as well—but that’s a worry for another day. Regardless, the Oilers aren’t so badly off; they won the first game in this series 6-3, so it can happen! The question is, can it happen again? With the health status of one of their star forwards on the line?

The Stars’ very own star, Roope Hintz, suffered a lower body injury in game 2 when Oiler’s Darnell Nurse slashed his left leg. Hintz had to walk off the ice and wasn’t able to return. Though he was seen on the ice on Sunday for practice and was a game-time decision, he ultimately didn’t make the game.

When asked to comment on how close Hintz is to making it back on the team, coach Peter DeBoer had this to say, “Well, I mean, he tried to warm up, but you know, no, he wasn’t close, or if he was close, he probably would have played.” However, the fact that Hintz’s injury is still day-to-day is a good sign that suggests he’ll be back sooner than later.

“Well, adjustments?” DeBoer said, restating the question. “What, you’re without your number one center, so you know…” His silence said what it needed to before he concluded with, “But I thought our guys—I give our guys credit—they didn’t mail it in; they showed up and worked.”

In his absence, rookie forward Oskar Bäck made his way back into the first line alongside Mikael Granlund and Mikko Rantanen. But Hintz’s offensive contributions are essential, and the Stars will need him back soon to improve their chances to match the Oilers’ firepower.

What are the Dallas Stars’ plans for the rest of the series with or without Roope Hintz?

To say that Dallas is a little shaken without Hintz would be an understatement. Roope Hintz is the second-highest contributor to the team in terms of goals this playoff season. In fact, he sits right behind Mikko Rantanen with a total of 11 points (5 goals and 6 assists) in the 15 games he’s played.

When Hintz walked off the ice, Oskar Bäck was quick to replace him; however, the 2018 third-round pick for the Stars has not as yet been able to make any big moves in the playoff series. When asked if Hintz would be able to make it back on to the ice for game 4, DeBoer was vague, alluding to a day-to-day injury watch. It’s clear, though, that the team is missing him, with Wyatt Johnston admitting post-injury, “He’s just an awesome player, so good on both ends of the ice. So yeah, you don’t want to be without a guy like that.”

Currently, according to MoneyPuck, the Stars have a 44% chance of winning Tuesday’s game against the Oilers, which isn’t too bad, but it is unclear whether these stats factor in the possible return of Roope Hintz. Though an injury that forced him to limp off the ice and never return seems a bit more serious than a few sit-outs.