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The Dallas Stars did not have the best season last year. They played well-enough, but finished just outside the playoffs again with 89 points. Attendance slipped, and they lost Mike Ribeiro to the Washington Capitals in free agency. There was some hoe for this season, though, especially with their goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Lehtonen, acquired from Don Waddell and the Atlanta Thrashers for Ivan Vishnevskiy. True to Waddell's tremendous trade abilities, Vishnevskiy is in the KHL while Lehtonen had 32 wins with a .922 SV% and a 2.33 GAA for last season.
Karppa, as he's known (it's Finnish for ermine or weasel) is off to a solid start for the Stars this season. He's 2-0-1 with a .942 SV% and a 2.31 GAA. He's been outstanding, but you know who's probably been a bit better? The Blues' goaltender for tonight. Jaroslav Halak. He has two wins too -- both of which are shutouts. His numbers are a bit off thanks to being pulled against the Nashville Predators last Monday, but regardless a .921 is nothing to sniff at. His GAA is teeny as you would expect -- 1.88. So, if that's "a bit off," then God help the opposition when it's not.
Dallas signed ageless all-star Jaromir Jagr this off-season, to the surprise of just about everyone. They've recently re-signed forward Jamie Benn to a five year deal. How will they make an impact tonight?
No Jagr (back) or Benn (immigration paperwork) ton. for Dallas as Blues face Stars @ 7pm. Blues going w/ same lineup as Thurs. Halak in net
— Chris Kerber (@chriskerber) January 26, 2013
Oh. Never mind, then. The Blues will be going with the same line-up from their 3-0 win over the Preds Thursday night. Why mess with perfection? Puck drop is at 7:00, and the GDT should be up sometime around 6 or 6:30, so make sure you come back for some fun.