Dallas Stars Reinstate Key Players from Injury List

After a lengthy absence, the Dallas Stars welcomed back two crucial players to their roster on Sunday. Forward Matt Duchene and defenseman Nils Lundkvist were activated from long-term injured reserve, ahead of their home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both players had been sidelined since mid-October due to injuries. Duchene's recovery was particularly challenging; he initially returned briefly after an injury sustained in a game against Minnesota but ended up missing 24 consecutive games. Coach Glen Gulutzan noted the difficulty for Duchene, emphasizing the need to safeguard competitive players from pushing themselves too hard. Lundkvist, who had made a promising start to the season before suffering a lower-body injury, also rejoined the team for the first time since October 16. This return is critical for the Stars, especially with other players like Lian Bichsel and Tyler Seguin now out with injuries, potentially leaving the team short on defense. The Stars anticipate that Duchene can significantly contribute to the team's performance, especially in light of recent injuries to key players.