The Dallas Stars celebrated the return of two key players, Matt Duchene and Nils Lundkvist, who had both been sidelined since mid-October due to injury. Their comeback coincided with a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking an encouraging turn for the Stars, who have struggled with injuries throughout the season.
Coach Glen Gulutzan commented on Duchene’s return, stating that it was essential for him to reacclimate to the pace and intensity of the league. “We’ve got to scar him up a little bit. He’s got to get back into the rhythm of the league,” Gulutzan noted. The coach emphasized the importance of allowing players like Duchene to regain their footing, remarking on the need for him to gradually ease back into the grind.
Duchene’s injury history this season has been particularly challenging. After sustaining a concussion during a game against Minnesota on October 14, he briefly returned to the ice on October 18, only to experience severe after-effects that sidelined him for an extended period. Duchene described this concussion as the most difficult injury he has faced in his career, detailing the mental and physical hurdles he encountered during his recovery. “It’s been a lot, and that’s a really tough recovery,” he said, acknowledging the complexities of dealing with a concussion.
Though he played nearly 16 minutes in his return, participating in both 3-on-3 overtime and the shootout, Duchene understands that it may take some time before he is back to his optimal performance level. “It’s going to take a little bit more time… It felt like about six months that I was out. I know it wasn’t, but it felt a lot longer, so it was great to be back,” he expressed, highlighting the mental strain of being away from the game.
Lundkvist’s journey back to the ice has also been a long one due to a lower body injury. After navigating his recovery on a scooter, he is relieved to not only be back skating but to feel like his former self again. Reflecting on the challenges of last season, where he managed to play only 39 games, he lamented the timing of his injuries. “I feel like it was a pretty good start of the year, and then kind of a freak accident; it was tough,” Lundkvist shared.
As both players rejoin the squad, the Stars are heading into a demanding two-game divisional road trip against Winnipeg and Minnesota. Gulutzan is optimistic about their contributions, noting that they didn’t look out of place during their first game back, despite acknowledging the difficulty of regaining peak performance after such a long absence. “This league is heated up, and it’s hard to get on that when you’ve been out two months,” he remarked, offering a realistic view of their adjustment period.
With the return of Duchene and Lundkvist, the Stars hope to build momentum and navigate the challenges ahead as the season progresses.
