Stars-Flyers Preview

Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars
Thursday March 18
7:30 pm
TV: FSN | Radio: KTCK 1310-AM

The Stars snapped a three-game winless streak with an 8-2 rout of San Jose at American Airlines Center. Kari Lehtonen stopped 45 of 47 shots in his second start for the Stars since being acquired from Atlanta just before the Olympic break.

"I thought we were really good in all areas tonight. It starts with your goaltender, and that was a terrific performance by Kari Lehtonen," said Stars coach Marc Crawford, who won his 500th game as an NHL coach. "I think you see a little bit more of what our organization saw in him."

Lehtonen will start in goal Thursday for the Stars.

This is the fourth game of a six-game homestand for the Stars, who are 1-1-1 in the first three games.

Injuries: C Mike Modano (appendectomy) and C Tom Wandell (knee) are out.

The Flyers are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss in Nashville Tuesday night in which they lost goalie Michael Leighton to a high ankle sprain. Leighton is expected to be out a few weeks. Brian Boucher, who replaced Leighton during Tuesday's game, will start in goal for the Flyers Thursday. It will be his first start since December 21.

"I don’t have a lot of evidence to go on as far as playing-wise in the last three months, but I’ve played in a couple games here since the break in some relief roles, and I feel good about myself," Boucher told the Flyers' official site. "I anticipate doing a good job with our team continuing to push forward."

To backup Boucher the Flyers recalled G Jeremy Duchesne from Adirondack of the AHL Wednesday.

This is the third game of four straight on the road for the Flyers, who are 0-1-1 in the first two.

Injuries: G Michael Leighton (ankle) and G Ray Emery (hip) are out.

• This the second and final meeting between the two teams. The Stars are 0-1-0 in the season series and the Flyers are 1-0-0.

• Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen is 0-8-1 with a 3.84 goals against average and a .882 save percentage in his career against Philadelphia.
• Flyers goalie Brian Boucher is 5-5-3 with a 2.34 goals against average and a .922 save percentage in his career against Dallas.
• The Flyers are 0-2-2 in their last four road games.
• With their two shorthanded goals Tuesday, the Stars now rank second in the league with eight.
• The Flyers are 15-17 on the penalty kill over their last seven games.
• The Flyers are 13-37  on the power play over their last ten games.