Defenseman Miro Heiskanen was injured in the third period of the Dallas Stars’ 4-3 overtime victory over Vegas after taking a hit from Golden Knights captain Mark Stone

Defenseman Miro Heiskanen was injured in the third period of the Stars' 4-3 overtime victory over Vegas on Tuesday night after taking a big hit from Golden Knights captain Mark Stone.

Las Vegas’ Stone fell into Heiskanen’s left knee in an awkward collision, which forcing Dallas’ top defenseman out of the game.

The star defenseman will likely be out for months, if not the rest of the season. Expect the Stars to struggle in his absence, and to have a much better understanding of their roster when he returns.

Miro Heiskanen is week to week for the Dallas Stars with a knee injury. The timeline also means the defenseman will likely miss the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, with will take place in Montreal and Boston from Feb. 12-20. He had been selected to play for Team Finland along with Stars teammates, defenseman Esa Lindell and forward Roope Hintz.

Heiskanen is now the third critical player the Stars have lost for an extended period of time. Tyler Seguin is out for four-to-six months following hip surgery he had done in December, and Mason Marchment has missed a month for face surgery after taking a puck to the face in late December.

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is week to week with a lower-body injury sustained on a big hit from Vegas captain Mark Stone.

Defenseman Miro Heiskanen was injured in the third period of the Dallas Stars‘ 4-3 overtime victory over Vegas on Tuesday night after taking a big hit from Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. Stone fell toward Heiskanen’s left knee and thigh after getting tripped.