Dallas – Coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed Wednesday that forward Joel Kiviranta will be sidelined for at least a week following a lower‑body injury sustained while blocking a shot during the Stars’ 5‑0 home victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
Injury details and upcoming schedule
Kiviranta, 30, was injured in the second period when he dove to stop a slapshot from the Sharks. Gulutzan said the team expects Kiviranta to miss the upcoming road trip, which includes a Thursday game at the Buffalo Sabres and a Saturday matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Stars will host the Colorado Avalanche next Tuesday, and the coach hopes the forward will be cleared to play by then.
“Kivi’s going to be out here for, we’re hoping only a week here,” Gulutzan told reporters. “He blocked a shot so, we’ll know more today, but he’s not going to go on the trip. He’s not going to play both games, but we are hoping it’s a week.”
Kiviranta’s contributions this season
In the two games Kiviranta has played this season, he has recorded one goal, a plus‑1 rating, one blocked shot and three hits. The Finnish native began his NHL career with Dallas, appearing in four seasons from 2019‑2023 before spending three years with the Colorado Avalanche. He returned to the Stars as a free agent in July, signing a one‑year contract.
Career overview
Over 351 regular‑season games, Kiviranta has amassed 70 points (39 goals, 31 assists), a plus‑9 rating, 100 penalty minutes, 142 blocked shots and 529 hits. In 56 playoff contests, he has added 14 points (seven goals, seven assists), a plus‑12 rating, 16 penalty minutes, 33 blocks and 134 hits. His physical style and willingness to block shots have made him a valued depth forward for Dallas.
Impact on the team
The Stars will need to adjust their lineup for the Buffalo and Pittsburgh games. Coach Gulutzan indicated that other forwards will step into Kiviranta’s role, emphasizing the depth of the roster. Dallas remains confident in its ability to compete on the road, relying on veteran players and emerging talent to fill the gap.
Fans can follow updates on Kiviranta’s status through the Stars’ official channels and local sports media. The team hopes to see the forward back on the ice for the home contest against Colorado, where his defensive instincts and energy could prove crucial.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
