Mike Heika

Senior Staff Writer at Dallas Stars

Senior Staff Writer for @DallasStars.com

Articles

Heika’s Take: Stars take advantage of home ice, dominate in Game 3 win

3 days ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

Dallas got back to playing “Stars hockey” in its return to AAC and never trailed in a 5-2 win that pushed them to a 2-1 series advantage May 12, 2025 The Stars did a lot of good things on Sunday, and they did them in a most Stars-like manner. Dallas took a 5-2 win (and 2-1 series lead) over the Winnipeg Jets on Mother’s Day at American Airlines Center.
Heika’s Take: Stars put together lopsided effort in Game 2 loss to Jets

4 days ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

Dallas took too many penalties and fell in an early hole as Winnipeg clawed its way back to level in the series May 10, 2025 The Stars know all about the back-and-forth of a playoff series. Heck, they had a few in the previous two weeks against Colorado. So as much as Winnipeg dominated a 4-0 Game 2 at Canada Life Centre on Friday, Dallas understands the importance of “flushing the game” and moving on.
Robo’s return: How Jason Robertson seamlessly slid back into lineup in Game 1

6 days ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

After suffering a fluky injury in the final game of the regular season and missing the entire First Round, the superstar winger is back in the lineup May 09, 2025 Game 1 was the perfect return to play for Jason Robertson. The Stars’ leading scorer for the past three seasons, the 25-year-old winger has been pushing hard to improve his defensive game and be a more complete player.
Heika’s Take: Rantanen’s historic run continues as Stars open Second Round with win

6 days ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

The Finnish forward again etched his name into the history books as he scored a second consecutive hat trick en route to a win over the Jets May 08, 2025 If the Stars are going to do something historic, they might as well go all in. Yes, Dallas stopped a run of eight straight Game 1 losses Wednesday with a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets to start the Second Round. But, really, that was just a side plate to what Mikko Rantanen did.
Stars ready to adapt to a new series with its own personality | Dallas Stars

1 week ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

From shutting down two of the best forwards in the league to now facing one of the strongest defensive teams, Dallas is ready to adjust to a new heavyweight tilt May 06, 2025 Styles make fights, they say, and that should be a central point when the Stars and Winnipeg Jets meet in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs starting Wednesday.
Kiitos, Mikko: Rantanen’s Game 7 takeover the perfect icing on a thrilling series

1 week ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

After a three-month whirlwind and the spotlight as bright as ever, the big Finn delivered in a historic and iconic way to push Dallas through May 04, 2025 Kiitos, Mikko. Kiitos erittäin paljon. The hope is that’s the translation of the phrase “thank you very much” in Finnish, but I’m not 100 percent sure.
Heika’s Take: Stars make all sorts of history in riveting Game 7 comeback win

1 week ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

From a Mikko Rantanen hat trick against his former team, to Pete DeBoer’s 9th straight Game 7 win, Dallas put together one of its most impressive games in franchise history by beating Colorado May 04, 2025 In a strange way, the Stars may have had one of their biggest wins in franchise history on Saturday. Sure, it was just the First Round of the playoffs. And, yes, the first two periods were nothing to gawk at.
Mental fortitude takes center stage as Stars, Avalanche prepare for Game 7

1 week ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

As the pendulum continues to swing on one of the most entertaining playoff series in recent memory, let’s not forget all that’s at stake May 02, 2025 One of the great things about this playoff series between the Stars and Avalanche (and there have been many great things) is how much it has displayed the mental side of sports. After losing yet another Game 1, the Stars admitted they had intense desperation in Game 2.
Heika’s Take: Hockey gods turn against Stars in frenetic Game 6 as Avs tie series

1 week ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

Colorado earned a handful of lucky bounces, including one on the game-winning goal as Dallas couldn’t stay ahead in a 7-4 loss May 02, 2025 The hockey gods giveth and the hockey gods taketh away. At least that’s how it seems in the best-of-seven First Round playoff series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
Big game challenge: Stars have even more to prove in Game 6

2 weeks ago | nhl.com | Mike Heika

Dallas has earned the right to be confident but with a series clinching win on the line, they can't afford to take their foot off the gas as they head to Ball Arena May 01, 2025 The balance between mental strength and physical strength is always crucial in sports. Sure, you can have the most talent or the best skill, and that in itself can give you a significant advantage in a head-to-head matchup.