Wild's Quinn Hughes and Stars' Miro Heiskanen will return for Game 1

Quinn Hughes will play in Game 1 after missing the final regular-season games because of an illness, and Miro Heiskanen practiced Friday and is set to suit up after a lower-body injury.

Quinn Hughes and Miro Heiskanen are both expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars. Hughes had missed the Wild’s final two regular-season games and recent practices because of an illness and rejoined the team in Dallas on a private jet Friday. Heiskanen missed the Stars’ last three games after suffering a lower-body injury on April 9 but completed Friday’s practice without incident and reported that he felt good. Coaches on both teams confirmed the players’ availability ahead of the game. Key details: - Quinn Hughes will play in Game 1, coach John Hynes confirmed. - Hughes missed the Wild’s last two regular-season games and recent practices due to an illness and flew to Dallas on a private jet Friday to join the team. - Hughes set Wild single-season records for points (53) and assists (48) by a defenseman and reached 50 points in 43 games. - Hughes finished the season with 76 points in 74 games and led the NHL in average ice time per game at 27:44, as reported. - Miro Heiskanen will suit up for Game 1 after missing three games with a lower-body injury suffered April 9; he practiced Friday and told coach Glen Gulutzan he "felt really good." - Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Heiskanen "means everything on both sides of the puck," noting his role on the power play and penalty kill. Summary: Both teams will have their top defensemen available for Game 1 of the first-round series, and coaches confirmed their availability ahead of the matchup. The game will proceed with both players expected to participate as announced by team officials.