The 
Dallas Stars blue line is thinning out before the weekend: Miro Heiskanen will not play Saturday against the 
Buffalo Sabres, and Lian Bichsel is out at least two weeks.
Heiskanen out Saturday, maybe Sunday
Heiskanen has been nursing an upper-body injury since November 3, when he was hit into the boards by Justin Sourdif in Washington. He missed a third straight game Thursday, an 8-3 loss to the 
Winnipeg Jets. He skated on his own Wednesday but skipped the optional skate Friday. Coach Glen Gulutzan ruled him out for Saturday without ruling him out for Sunday against the 
Florida Panthers. Heiskanen has 11 points in 15 games this season and averages 24:53 of ice time per game, so his absence weighs heavily on the Dallas defense.
Bichsel out at least two weeks
Bichsel left Thursday's game in the first period with a lower-body injury. On Friday, Gulutzan said he will miss at least two weeks and is officially week to week.
Burroughs called up, Lundkvist uncertain
Kyle Burroughs is expected to be called up from the Texas Stars to play Saturday against Buffalo. Nils Lundkvist also left Thursday's game, bloodied after a hit, and the Stars have not given an update on his status.
What it means for your pool
Keep Heiskanen on your bench Saturday and check his status Sunday morning before the game against Florida. Bichsel can come off your roster in most pools, since his absence will stretch past two weeks. Thomas Harley should take on some of Heiskanen's ice time, including on the first power play unit. Dallas hosts Buffalo on Saturday and then Florida on Sunday, two home games.
Sources
The facts in this article come from NHL.com, Daily Faceoff and Dallas Hockey Insider.
