Tyler Seguin played his first game since ACL surgery Friday as the Dallas Stars beat Minnesota 2–1, completing an unbeaten preseason with two injured forwards back in the lineup.
The forward had been sidelined since December 2, when he was injured during an overtime loss to the New York Rangers. He underwent surgery December 16 after recording seven goals and 10 assists through 27 games last season.
Seguin logged 13 minutes, 57 seconds and finished plus-one against Minnesota. Roope Hintz also returned from the torn hamstring that had kept him out of Dallas’ playoff series, joining Seguin in the lineup for the final exhibition.
Hintz played 17:50 and recorded two shots on goal and two blocked shots, The Dallas Morning News reported. Dallas used most of its leading players in its final exhibition before the regular-season opener against St. Louis on October 2.
The Stars completed their four-game preseason schedule without a loss, with Casey DeSmith making 26 saves Friday at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Thomas Harley scored the deciding goal late in the second period.
Radek Faksa had put Dallas ahead at 9:18 of the first period with a wrist shot from above the left circle. Oskar Bäck and Joel Kiviranta collected assists, with Kiviranta back for his second stint with the organization.
Joel Eriksson Ek tied the game early in the second period, putting a loose puck past DeSmith while falling to the ice. Harley restored the lead at 18:38 when his point shot deflected off Jared Spurgeon’s skate and beat Jesper Wallstedt.
Mikko Rantanen and Jamie Benn assisted on Harley’s goal. Wallstedt finished with 16 saves, while Wild defenseman Brock Faber left late in the second period after being struck in the head by a puck.
Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan had kept Matt Duchene out for maintenance and Colin Blackwell out with a lower-body issue. Before the game, he said he expected both forwards to be ready for the season opener.
Minnesota also completed its preseason schedule Friday and opens the regular season Thursday at Nashville. Dallas has a week between its final exhibition and the home opener against the Blues.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with NHL: September 25 game recap.
Read at NHL: September 25 game recap
