Heiskanen Doubtful, Harley Gets the Keys: Stars Host Slumping Sharks at 7 CT to Open a Homestand

By Nolan Frost, RF Sports Radio Stars voice

Stars Nation, the Heiskanen news took a step backward on Friday. Glen Gulutzan now calls Miro Heiskanen doubtful for tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks, and that means the No. 1 job on the blue line belongs to Thomas Harley again. Puck drop is 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center on Prime Video.

The facts

Per the NHL Status Report, Heiskanen is doubtful after missing Thursday's 2-1 shootout loss at Columbus. He left early in the second period of Tuesday's 6-5 win at Washington after being hit into the boards by Justin Sourdif. Gulutzan said: "If he's ready tomorrow, we would use him, but I think that's doubtful. We'll see." He added that if Heiskanen is not ready, "those four days are really going to help," because Dallas does not play again until Thursday. Heiskanen has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 15 games and averages 24:53 of ice time.

The Stars' Game Day Guide frames tonight around Harley, who played a season-high 28:31 in Columbus, almost four minutes above his average. When Heiskanen missed 32 games in 2024-25, Harley posted 50 points in 78 games. "I enjoy playing 26 a night plus first power play," Harley said. Esa Lindell and Tyler Myers are expected to absorb more minutes, with Nils Lundkvist and Lian Bichsel also getting extended time, and rookie Trey Taylor is expected back in the lineup. Gulutzan summed it up: "Every game is an audition."

Dallas is 9-5-2 and third in the Central, per Dallas Hockey Insider, opening a three-game homestand. San Jose arrives on a three-game losing streak after a 4-1 loss at Minnesota on Friday, with a minus-17 goal differential entering that game. No starting goalie had been confirmed for Dallas as of Saturday morning.

RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)

My take: do not rush Heiskanen for a Sharks game. Four days off after tonight is a gift, and a top-pair defenseman with an upper-body injury is not worth risking against a team on the second night of a back-to-back.

This is Harley's stage. He has done this before, and the Stars rewarded him with a long-term contract because of how he handled it. If he runs the first power-play unit like he did two seasons ago, Dallas will not miss a beat against a leaky opponent.

The real test is at home. This team has stacked road points and still has something to prove at the AAC. A tired Sharks team that just lost in St. Paul is exactly the opponent you beat by three, not one in a shootout.

Opinion prediction: Rantanen stays hot, Harley logs 27 minutes, and Dallas takes two points in regulation. Anything less against this opponent is a missed opportunity.

What to watch next

Watch the morning skate and warmups for any Heiskanen surprise, the starting goalie, and Harley's power-play time. For Friday's shootout recap, read our Nov. 6 Columbus shootout recap, and follow every game on our Dallas Stars page.

Radio question: with Heiskanen doubtful, is Thomas Harley ready to carry this blue line for a week, or does Dallas need Miro back sooner than it admits?

Sources: NHL.com - NHL Status Report: Heiskanen doubtful for Stars; NHL.com/Stars - Game Day Guide: Sharks vs Stars; Dallas Hockey Insider - Stars try to fix home ice against Sharks Saturday; Inside The Rink - Sharks at Stars preview, Nov 7, 2026.