After seeing Chris Tanev‘s injury impact on Game 5, what lays in store for Game 6 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Finals vs the Edmonton Oilers tonight? Furthermore, questions have been raised about the Dallas Stars defensive depth. Let’s discuss the impact going forward.
Chris Tanev’s Injury Impact on the Western Conference Finals Series
Since joining the team from the Calgary Flames in a three-team trade at the trade deadline, the veteran defenceman has helped solidify Dallas’ defence. Dallas went on a late-season burst which led to a Western Conference regular season title and home-ice advantage in the first three rounds. However, Tanev blocked a second-period shot in Game 4 on Wednesday and did not return to the ice as Edmonton earned a 5-2 win to tie the series, scoring three goals after Tanev’s injury.
On Thursday, Tanev was seen in the airport wearing a boot as he traveled back to Dallas, which had scared Stars fans. But did come back for Game 5, and gave the Stars 19 hard minutes of ice time. Furthermore, this included registering four blocked shots in the game. He may have lost a step, understandably so, but he did well to battle through his injury. Dallas Stars Head Coach Pete DeBoer is obviously ‘mum’ on game day for Tanev’s injury, but did offer hope.
Stars’ Pete DeBoer offers optimistic Game 6 injury update on Chris Tanev: ‘He’s a warrior’@calvinwatkins | #TexasHockeyhttps://t.co/6H9zM0t7vO
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) June 1, 2024
Tanev’s Overall Impact
Tanev’s presence has helped stabilize the Dallas defence as a second-pair partner with Thomas Harley. He adds a much-needed right-handed shot to the lineup and is a vital component of the Stars’ penalty kill unit as a savvy shot-blocker. His addition has noticeably made Dallas a more complete team, winning 15 of its 19 games with Tanev in the lineup to close the regular season. According to DeBoer, the team’s success with the veteran in the lineup is no coincidence.
“He’s a huge part of our group. I think that’s obvious. You look at our record since the trade deadline, with him and all the underlying numbers, he affects all parts of the game.”
How the Chris Tanev Injury Impacts Dallas’ Depth and Experience
Other injuries and a lack of experience add to the chaos surrounding how Chris Tanev’s injury impacts the lineup. Jani Hakanpaa, the only righty with recent NHL playoff experience, has been out of the lineup since mid-March with a lower-body injury and is not yet ready to return. Nils Lundkvist has just 12 playoff games under his belt and hasn’t appeared in the Edmonton series.
Tanev’s absence does leave Alex Petrovic, a veteran defenceman, who had not played in the NHL in five years until Game 6 against Colorado in a elevated role. Also, he was the only right-handed defenceman in the Stars’ lineup Friday for Game 5 other than Tanev.
Impact on Dallas’ Remaining Defence Options
While there are questions about the depth and how Tanev’s injury will impact Game 6, the Stars’ defence is filled with young talent and veterans with playoff success. Over the past couple seasons, Miro Heiskanen has solidified himself as one of the top defencemen in the league. Thomas Harley has had an impressive season fulfilling his potential. Esa Lindell and Ryan Suter are veterans who know what to do in crunch time. Yet, the last two spots bring their question marks. Petrovic has filled in well, but he has been away from the league for several years and only appeared in 11 career playoff games. Perhaps similar to Friday’s game, if Tanev is unavailable Friday, the Stars will have Lian Bichsel make his NHL debut.
Lian Bichsel says he’s been told to be ready to play if Tanev can’t go
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) May 31, 2024
Bichsel was the franchise’s first-round pick in 2022 and began this season in Sweden. He joined the AHL’s Texas Stars for the end of the regular season and a brief playoff appearance. Bichsel was one of three players recalled by Dallas earlier this month along with Petrovic and forward Mavrik Bourque.
Main photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
