Miro Heiskanen, the Dallas Stars' star defenseman, will miss Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in January. Despite returning to practice and participating in the morning skate, Coach Peter DeBoer confirmed Heiskanen remains "day to day," underlining the team's caution as they fight for a pivotal win to take the series lead, currently tied at 2-2.

Heiskanen, who recorded 25 points this season, has been a crucial part of the Stars' lineup. Without him, and after a 4-0 loss in Game 4, Dallas faces pressure to have their other key players, such as Roope Hintz and Matt Duchene, step up offensively. Coach DeBoer hinted at potential lineup changes, including the possibility of adjusting defenseman numbers to accommodate Heiskanen's return when ready. With the stakes high, the Stars must capitalize on their opportunities against a formidable Avalanche team.