Stars Team Report

INSIDE SHOTS

Jere Lehtinen(notes) stood in the Stars’ locker room after a recent morning skate. The question wasn’t so much on the record as just part of casual conversation: How are you feeling?

But for Lehtinen, that question is as loaded as they come, because these last few seasons, Lehtinen has had more not-so-good feeling days than he would care to remember. Groin issues have been the main culprit for Lehtinen, who played in just his 11th game this season on Saturday night. All the veteran wants to do is stay healthy for a while and contribute to this Stars team on a regular basis.

On Saturday, Lehtinen had one of his better games in some time. And that ought to go far in making him feel better.

Lehtinen scored his first goal of the season on Saturday, a power-play goal that helped the Stars to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now just one point away from 500 for his career, Lehtinen played more than 16 minutes, his highest ice time in several weeks. It was probably a relief for Lehtinen, who is never one to get back out on the ice until he feels 100 percent. But once he’s there, he’s usually dependable.

No, Lehtinen isn’t going to have the seasons he used to, scoring-wise. Nevertheless, when healthy, he’s still one of the steadiest players out there, especially on the defensive side. The Stars will take a steady Lehtinen any day. Lehtinen will take a steady good bill of health.

Stars 4, Lightning 3  (OT): Tom Wandell(notes) is still pretty new to the NHL, but he’s playing as if it’s old hat. The 22-year-old scored the game-winner, his third this season, as the Stars overcame Tampa Bay in overtime.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The Stars are starting to reverse their bad trend on home ice. They have now garnered points in eight of their last nine games (5-1-3) at American Airlines Center.

• The power play continues to sizzle for the Stars, who tallied three of their four goals Saturday with the advantage. The Stars have gotten at least one power-play goal in each of their last five games, and have 12 in their last eight games.

Quote To Note:   “It wasn’t the best shot, but it went in.”—Tom Wandell’s description of his game-winning goal Saturday.

ROSTER REPORT

Goaltenders:   Marty Turco(notes), Alex Auld(notes).

Defensemen:   Stephane Robidas(notes), Trevor Daley(notes), Nicklas Grossman(notes), Karlis Skrastins(notes), Matt Niskanen(notes), Mark Fistric(notes).

First Line:   James Neal(notes), Brad Richards(notes), Loui Eriksson(notes).

Second Line:   Brenden Morrow(notes), Mike Ribeiro(notes), Jamie Benn(notes).

Third Line:   Steve Ott(notes), Tom Wandell, Jere Lehtinen.

Fourth Line:   Toby Petersen(notes), Mike Modano(notes), Fabian Brunnstrom(notes).

Player Notes:  

• C Tom Wandell has four goals this season, and three were game-winners. Wandell has been steady on the points lately, collecting five (2-3-5) in four of his last five games.

• LW Brenden Morrow looks as if he’s getting back to his old self on offense. Morrow has a goal in three consecutive games and points in four straight contests (3-1-4).

• D Stephane Robidas continues his torrid pace, scoring his seventh goal on Saturday. Robidas is just two goals away from his career-high of nine set in the 2007-08 season. His goal was also his fifth power-play goal this season, which leads NHL defensemen.

• RW Fabian Brunnstrom was recalled from the Texas Stars (rehab assignment for a shoulder injury) on Saturday and played against the Lightning. He logged 10:42 of ice time, finishing a minus-1.

• C Brian Sutherby(notes) (groin) was activated off the injured reserve list on Saturday. He was a healthy scratch against Tampa Bay.