On Thursday, the Dallas Stars moved goaltender Kari Lehtonen to injured reserve, following an injury suffered in Tuesday’s game after coming in to relieve Antti Niemi, who had allowed three goals on nine shots.
While Lehtonen is considered day-to-day, the move to IR ensures that he’ll be out through the weekend and that Niemi may take the reins in the weekend’s back-to-back.
The other option is 23-year-old 1st round pick Jack Campbell, who was recalled in concert with Lehtonen’s move to IR.
Campbell has struggled to deliver on his #11 overall draft status, finding his way into just a single NHL game so far.
This year he’s played just six games for AHL Texas, posting an .873 save percentage. That’s the fewest games and worst save percentage of the three goalies getting time with the Texas Stars this season. Maxime Legace sits atop that heap, with a .913 save percentage in seven games, while John Muse has a .910 save percentage in eight games.
The Stars have two games before Lehtonen is technically eligible to return to the lineup if he’s healthy. They’ll play the Vancouver Canucks at home on Friday and then travel to St. Paul to play the Wild on Saturday.
The Dallas Stars have also recalled defenseman Patrik Nemeth from his 14-day conditioning stint with the Texas Stars.
