Dallas Stars superstar defenceman Miro Heiskanen left Sunday's 7-2 Game 3 loss to the Seattle Kraken after taking an errant shot to the face early in the second period.
The team reported in the third period that he would not return to the game with an upper-body injury.
After the game, Stars head coach Pete DeBoer told reporters that he had no update on Heiskanen's status, but did say the lopsided score played a role in why the defenceman didn't return. Game 4 is set for Tuesday in Seattle.
Kraken forward Tye Kartye fired one high from the top of the left circle and it appeared to hit Heiskanen under his visor, instantly sending the defenceman to the ice.
To add insult to injury, with Heiskanen down, Kraken forward Jordan Eberle picked up the loose puck and buried the first goal of the game to put Seattle up 1-0.
Heiskanen stayed down on the ice for a brief period before heading down the tunnel to the team's dressing room.
If Heiskanen is out long term, it would be a huge blow to the Stars as the 23-year-old from Finland had a career year for Dallas. Heiskanen finished the regular season with 11 goals and 62 assists in 79 games to lead all Stars defencemen in scoring.
In eight playoff games for the Stars this post-season, Heiskanen has 7 assists.
The Kraken also dealt with injury on Sunday night, losing forward Daniel Sprong early in the game's second period.
Post-game, Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol did not have any update but said one could come in the next few days.
Sprong, 26, also hit career highs for his team this year with 21 goals and 25 assists in 66 regular season games. He's collected two points so far this post-season.
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