Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer labeled defenseman Chris Tanev as a game-time decision for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.
DeBoer said Friday morning that he is “optimistic” that Tanev will play for the Stars, who are tied with the Oilers at two wins apiece in the best-of-seven series.
Tanev was injured after blocking a shot by Edmonton forward Evander Kane with his lower right leg midway into the second period of Dallas’ 5-2 loss to the Oilers in Game 4 on Wednesday. He did not return to the game.
Tanev, 34, has one assist and is averaging 22:33 of ice time in 17 games in the playoffs.
He had five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 games with the Stars after being acquired from the Calgary Flames on Feb. 28 in a three-team trade that also involved the New Jersey Devils.
Tanev has totaled 190 points (33 goals, 157 assists) and a plus-122 rating in 792 career games with the Vancouver Canucks (2010-20), Flames (2020-24) and Stars.
–Field Level Media