Stars' Matt Duchene talks team injuries, outlook for next season: 'This window is a big one'

TL;DR

Matt Duchene discusses the impact of injuries on the Dallas Stars' recent playoff exit and expresses optimism for next season. He emphasizes the importance of health for a successful playoff run.

Key points

Matt Duchene discusses team injuries and playoff performance
Over 10 players faced serious injuries during the season
Stars were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Wild
Duchene is optimistic about next season's playoff chances
Health is crucial for success in the playoffs

Dallas StarsMinnesota WildFlorida

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) celebrates with center Wyatt Johnston (53) after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets at the American Airlines Center on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) After a run of three consecutive Western Conference finals appearances, the Stars finally ran into some bad luck in 2026. General manager Jim Nill revealed that more than 10 players were dealing with a serious injury down the final stretch of the season, including some key players like Mikko Rantanen (torn MCL) and Miro Heiskanen (torn oblique, sprained ankle). Matt Duchene was one of the few healthy Stars during the team's first-round series with the , which ultimately ended with a 5-2 defeat in Game 6. The forward to talk about the end of his and the Stars' season. "I felt good physically in the playoffs. Was obviously hoping for a longer run, we all were," Duchene said. "This hockey team, from 2023 up until now, every series has been a conference-finals caliber series. That takes a toll on you [physically]. And then throw in two international tournaments for some of our guys, and I think that shoe finally dropped on us a little bit." Duchene mentioned that it wasn't just dealing with injuries this year. Hockey is an unpredictable sport, and being close to full strength come playoff time is a necessity, even for squads with a playoff pedigree. "You look at some of the stuff that's happened around the league, goes to three straight [Stanley Cup Finals] and doesn't even make the playoffs this year. It's crazy how it can work," Duchene said. "Everything has to fall into place, and you need to be healthy. I can't remember the last team that won with a bunch of injuries. In the long run, [going out early] might be a really good thing for us, given the injuries we have." Stars fans certainly hope Duchene is right about that last part. After its recent run of success, the expectation for Dallas is that it contends for a Stanley Cup every year. The forward is confident another deep playoff run is coming . "This window that we have is a big one," Duchene said. "And we're right in the middle of it."

Q&A

What injuries affected the Dallas Stars during the 2026 playoffs?

The Dallas Stars faced significant injuries, with over 10 players affected, including Mikko Rantanen (torn MCL) and Miro Heiskanen (torn oblique, sprained ankle).

How did the Dallas Stars perform in the 2026 playoffs?

The Stars were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Wild, losing the series 5-2 in Game 6.

What are Matt Duchene's thoughts on the Stars' future?

Duchene believes the Stars have a strong chance for a deep playoff run next season, stating that their current window for success is significant.

Stars' Matt Duchene talks team injuries, outlook for next season: 'This window is a big one'

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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