DALLAS, TX – Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev’s presence in Friday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers (8:30 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS) is still uncertain.
Tanev left Game 4 of the Western final on Wednesday after blocking a shot by forward Evander Kane with a skate.
“He flew today. He will see the doctor and will be further evaluated. Fingers crossed,” commented Peter DeBoer after his team landed in Dallas on Thursday.
The series between the Oilers and Stars is currently tied 2-2.
Tanev had an assist in 17 playoff games. He averages 22:33 per game, the fourth highest total on his team behind teammates Miro Heiskanen (28:06), Esa Lindell (24:54) and Thomas Harley (23:58). He leads the NHL since the start of the spring tournament with 68 blocked shots.
“He is a good player. I hope he plays, Harley commented. If he can’t be there, we will try to resolve the problem as best we can when we get there. »
Tanev is a key player for the Stars, who do not rely on great depth on defense. Alex Petrovic has played five games since the start of the playoffs, averaging just over 13 minutes of use. Nils Lundkvist played 12 games and averaged 4:28 of use. Derrick Pouliot and Lian Bichsel are the two reserve defenders. The only two playoff games played by Pouliot date back to 2015-16, with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bichsel has not yet played in the NHL.
DeBoer would not comment on what changes will be made to the roster if Tanev has to sit out.
“Every guy is an option. We will have to discuss it with them, he simply indicated. We don’t have to make a decision until we have to make one. Since we do not yet have all the information, we will not comment.
DeBoer added that Jani Hakanpaa, who has been sidelined since March 16 with a lower-body injury, will not play in Game 5 but “you never know for the rest of the series.” . »
Dallas acquired Tanev from the Calgary Flames on February 28 in a three-team trade that also involved the New Jersey Devils. This season, he collected 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 56 games with the Flames, then five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 games with the Stars.
With or without Tanev, everyone will have to pitch in within the Texan team, which has just lost 5-2.
“Even if he is there, we (the attackers) will have to do our part and help our teammates in defense as much as possible,” said Mason Marchment. They have good players, so we will have to work in units of five in order to limit them. »
