It was supposed to be a moment of relief for Dallas Stars fans. Roope Hintz was finally back on the ice after missing Game 3 with a leg injury. But just as he started finding his stride in Game 4, things took an ugly turn.
Dallas Stars forward Hintz made his much-anticipated return to the lineup in Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers. Hintz had missed Game 3 after sustaining a painful leg injury in Game 2 when Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse delivered a slash that forced the Finnish winger to leave the ice and not return.
The injury raised concerns among Stars fans, but Hintz’s appearance in Game 4 offered a moment of relief. However, his return didn’t go unnoticed by the Oilers, and certainly not by Evan Bouchard.
Evan Bouchard Slammed for Targeting Injured Roope Hintz in Game 4 Incident
In the opening period, just as Hintz was trying to find his rhythm, Bouchard skated up behind him and delivered a harsh slash directly to his foot, the very same leg that had been injured just days earlier, sparking outrage among fans, commentators, and social media alike.
In a heated playoff series where emotions are already high, Bouchard’s move raised many questions and comments from fans all over social media, like “How is that not intent to injure?”
One frustrated fan stated, “Once again, the Oilers prove to have some of the worst players in terms of character in the league.”
Another expressed disappointment in the Stars’ lack of retaliation, writing, “Zero response from Hintz or the Stars. What happened to this team? They just take the abuse and no response.”
Some fans went further, calling for disciplinary action, with one tweeting, “@NHL should suspend him.” Others pointed out a perceived double standard in the league’s treatment of star players: “If they did that to McDavid that would be a penalty and probably a suspension just saying lol.”
The outrage continues to grow as many await an official response from the league or the teams involved. It was a subtle but clear message from the Oilers’ blueliner. Bouchard didn’t say a word, just skated back to his bench, leaving Hintz wincing and fans watching in disbelief.
Evan Bouchard gives Roope Hintz a slash to the top of his foot in his return to the lineup pic.twitter.com/ejnLtPIrwp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 28, 2025
While such tactics aren’t new in playoff hockey, this moment felt especially pointed. Hintz had worked his way back into the lineup after an injury scare, and the Oilers wasted no time letting him know he was back in a high-stakes battle.
In a series already full of physicality and intensity, this slash added more fuel to the fire between the two Western Conference teams.
Still, Hintz’s presence back in the game speaks volumes about his determination and toughness. He’s an essential piece of the Stars’ offense, and his ability to push through pain shows his commitment to the team’s playoff run.
As of now, neither Oilers captain Connor McDavid nor the team’s head coach has commented on the incident involving Bouchard and Hintz. The Dallas Stars have also not provided an update on the severity of Hintz’s injury following last night’s game.
But the Oilers won’t make his return easy. Game 5 now looms even larger, with emotions running high and tensions boiling over on the ice.
