Roope Hintz shines bright on the ice as Dallas Stars win 7-3 over the Wild
By Brian Sweet
![Apr 19, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) celebrates after scoring his second goal against Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Apr 19, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) celebrates after scoring his second goal against Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8ed41cfa5b22fe6fbb1583b2acb517498a7c0fe22307776f985b61d6396cf64d.jpg)
Well I can tell you that Jake Oettinger definitely got his “goal support” tonight. To be honest, this game felt more like a revenge victory to me than a normal victory. The reason why is the Dallas Stars went out there and won for their injured teammate Joe Pavelski. I think that was more important along with tying the series up tonight.
The Stars let the Wild have it starting with Roope Hintz scoring on a short-handed goal. The scoring didn’t stop as the Stars won 7-3 tonight to tie the series up against the Minnesota Wild.
The Stars also made some history tonight as that was the first playoff hat trick scored in Dallas. Hintz also currently leads in goals scored in the playoffs with four goals. Him and his teammate Miro Heiskanen are currently tied for first in the playoffs points category with five each. There is a lot to unpack here so here are the three takeaways from game 2 of the playoffs.
A huge win under his belt tonight! Coach DeBoer highlights the many highs of the game, and sets his expectations for the rest of the series.@DallasStars | #TexasHockey | #StanleyCup | 📺: BSSW pic.twitter.com/7UkH8p0wzK
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 20, 2023
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Recap: 3. Everybody Roopes, Everybody Rides
Roope Hintz picked a great game to inject his scoring ability into it. The Stars desperately needed to help out Jake Oettinger tonight and give him some goal support. Roope immediately did that as he scored on a breakaway to open up the scoring. He would continue to give Marc André-Fluery nightmares as he would score two more goals to record the first playoff hat trick home ice. Otter wouldn’t mind if he did this up in Minnesota over the weekend.
Scoring update...
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 20, 2023
Roope Hintz has scored as many goals by himself as the Minnesota Wild has as a team tonight.
LET THOSE HATS FLY, STARS FANS!!! #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/vH24HLhDJN
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Recap: 2. Aggression was lightyears better
The Stars came out and punched them in the mouth tonight. Their overall aggression tonight was lightyears better than Monday night after Pavelski got injured. They were inside all of the Wild Players’ minds as they dominated from start to finish. It was funny watching all the Wild players go to the locker room for misconducts in the third period. The Stars really got under their skin and fans loved every second of it.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Recap: 1. Winning it for Papa Joe
The Stars accomplished their one mission tonight, winning that game for Papa Joe. More than likely we won’t see Pavelski on the ice again unless we advance to the second round. I know he’s trying to expedite the concussion protocol process so he can get back on the ice. After tonight’s win, he can slow down the process and make sure that he’s 100 percent healthy. Jake Oettinger had a message for him after the game.
"We love you, Pav...we are gonna lay it all on the line to try and get you back here..."
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 20, 2023
Otter has a message for Captain America #TexasHockey #StanleyCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/K0SCFJ5ajy