Glen Gulutzan reveals Nils Lundkvist's status after frightening skate blade scare
Nils Lundkvist got a positive first update Sunday as Glen Gulutzan said the Dallas Stars defenseman did not need a hospital visit.
That was the first real bit of relief after a scary scene in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.
Lundkvist took a skate to the face during a scramble near the Dallas net, and the play turned serious right away.
It happened when Lundkvist got tangled up with Michael McCarron. Both players lost balance, and McCarron's skate came up into Lundkvist's face.
The cut was ugly enough that there was instant concern on the bench and around the rink. It was the kind of play that makes everyone stop watching the puck.
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By Sunday, Gulutzan finally had something encouraging to share. Lundkvist avoided the hospital, which says plenty after a play that dangerous.
Dallas gets some relief, but no clear answer yet on Lundkvist
That didn't mean Dallas had a firm timeline. Gulutzan also said he still did not know Lundkvist's status moving forward.
The coach expects to know more Monday, which puts the focus squarely on Game 5 and whether Lundkvist can be part of the lineup.
That matters because playoff injuries hit differently, especially on the blue line. One absence can force a pair shuffle, change minutes, and put more pressure on special teams.
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Even if Lundkvist is able to return soon, the first question is simple: how much can he comfortably handle after taking a blade to the face?
Dallas will take the no-hospital update as a win for now. After a sequence like that, the first concern is the player, not the depth chart.
Still, the Stars need clarity fast. The series does not slow down, and lineup questions get bigger with every day between games.
For Lundkvist, Sunday's update was good news without a finish line attached. That leaves Dallas waiting for Monday and hoping the next step is just as positive.
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APRIL 26, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Bowen Byram | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Josh Doan | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Peyton Krebs | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alex Tuch | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Zach Benson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sean Kuraly | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Beck Malenstyn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jordan Greenway | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nazem Kadri | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tyson Kozak | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Gabriel Landeskog | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ryan McLeod | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Owen Power | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Quinn | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tage Thompson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Michael Anderson | - | - | - | |
| Viktor Arvidsson | - | - | - | |
| Jonathan Aspirot | - | - | - | |
| Nick Blankenburg | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||