Heiskanen plays 29:20 as Stars edge Jets 3-2 in overtime

Dallas fans at American Airlines Center saw their team win a 3-2 overtime decision against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. The game hinged on a single sequence in the extra period that turned a defensive stop into a goal. Roope Hintz scored the winner at 3:47 of overtime, giving the Stars the victory.

The sequence began when Jason Robertson blocked a Winnipeg scoring chance. Heiskanen immediately sent the puck to Hintz, who was left alone on a breakaway. Hintz finished the play to put Dallas ahead for good. The move converted a defensive recovery into an offensive opportunity before the Jets could regroup.

The play was a team effort that relied on Robertson’s defensive work. Heika reported that Robertson initially had a turnover that created the Winnipeg chance, but his subsequent block ended that threat. This shared recovery set up the final pass that decided the game.

Heiskanen carried a heavy load on the back end for this game. With Esa Lindell scratched from the lineup, Heiskanen played 29 minutes and 20 seconds. Thomas Harley followed closely with 28 minutes and 27 seconds of ice time. The next Dallas defender, Lian Bichsel, played 17 minutes and 47 seconds, while Nils Lundkvist, Tyler Myers, and Kyle Capobianco also saw action.

The Stars trailed for much of the contest despite outshooting Winnipeg 38-19. Johnston scored early in the second period for Winnipeg. Gabriel Vilardi and Kyle Connor later added goals to put the Jets ahead. Dallas remained behind until Hintz scored a six-on-five equalizer with two minutes left in regulation.

Connor Hellebuyert faced 35 shots, allowing two goals, while Winnipeg's netminder stopped 35 shots. Heiskanen finished the game with five shots, one blocked shot, and the winning assist. Harley did not record a goal, but his defensive minutes were key to the team's structure.

The game ended with Dallas ahead by one goal. Lindell's absence did not come with a set return date or a revised rotation plan. The Stars relied on their top two defensemen to manage the workload for this single game.