Khudobin, Stars turn page from weekend: 'We dealt with it, we move on'

FRISCO, Texas -- Anton Khudobin was back at practice Monday, and all was right with the world.
The veteran goaltender revealed he was late for practice Saturday and that's why he had to sit out Sunday's 2-1 OT loss to Chicago. Khudobin said he had a good talk with Stars coach Rick Bowness and said he understands the team rules and the need to follow them to the letter.
"I was a little late for practice and Bones unfortunately had to make a decision because it is a team rule," Khudobin said. "So I talked to him, it was good conversation. He said, 'OK, this is my decision, you are not playing tomorrow and keep moving forward,' and I told him it will never happen again, that's it."

Bowness said he agrees the incident is in the past:
"It's over. We dealt with it, and we move on," Bowness said. "That's yesterday's news."

Khudobin's absence opened the door for backup goaltender Jake Oettinger to start the game, and Oettinger had his best game of the season. While the 22-year-old lost in overtime, he stopped 33 shots and held the Stars in a very tight game, earning a point in the standings.
"I felt good. I thought the guys did a really good job in front of me and really limited their chances," Oettinger said. "You never know when you are going to get the call, so I am just happy to get the start and I just have to be ready at all times."
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Bowness said he was impressed with Oettinger's play, and said performances like that can change how the coaching staff view's the deployment of goaltenders. Khudobin is 3-2-1 in six appearances with a 2.51 GAA and .908 save percentage. Oettinger is 2-0-1 with a 2.27 GAA and .915 save percentage.
"We always put a plan in place, but it's subject to change depending on feel," Bowness said. "Jake's coming off of a great game, so we'll discuss that."

Bowness said that as much as the goaltending plan can be tweaked, the basics are what they knew before the season started. Ben Bishop is out until late March or early April following offseason knee surgery, and that means Khudobin will handle the majority of the games and Oettinger will get some work.
"It always goes back to what we said before the season started -- Jake's going to play," Bowness said. "We'll monitor his game very closely when he plays. Doby's No. 1, he's the guy, but Jake is going to play some games, he has to. And we're very happy with Jake's performance last night."
Oettinger said he is feeling more comfortable with each game.
"I think I have a pretty good routine down that I do every day whether it's practice or a game," Oettinger said.
"I think all the preparation comes in practice and just the work I've done so far this year with (goaltending coach) Jeff Reese. He knows when I prepare the most and you never know when your number is going to be called, so I am just doing my best to stay ready and trying to get better every day and trying to get a little more comfortable every game."

Sekera returns from COVID protocol

Stars defenseman Andrej Sekera has been in COVID protocol since Jan. 31 and had to spend a week in North Carolina quarantining after he tested positive on a road trip. However, he skated Sunday and Monday and he might play Tuesday against Chicago.
Sekera had a headache on the morning of Jan. 31 and tested positive. He then had to stay in his hotel for seven days, but said he never really felt bad.
"I had a slight headache on Sunday morning and since then I was symptom-free and did three negative tests, and now I'm trying to work my way back in," he said. "I've got to do cardio test and bloodwork today and see what doctor will have to say tomorrow."
Bowness cautioned that returning does take time, but said that Sekera has had light symptoms, so that helps.

"Andrej did not have it that bad, but when you're off the ice for a week regardless of the injury, it's tough to get your wind back, it's tough to get your legs back, and it's tough to get your timing back," Bowness said. "It doesn't happen with one or two practices."
Sekera is second on the team in shorthanded time on ice per game at 4:20 and is fourth in blocked shots at 12.
"It feels great to have him back," Bowness said. "He's a huge part of our defense corps, he's a huge part of our penalty kill. He'll be a game-time decision, but it's certainly great to see him back. We know how well respected he is in our team and our room, and we certainly missed him a lot."
Sekera said he spent a lot of the time in his hotel room watching the television show Yellowstone and talking on the phone with family and teammates. He said it felt good to be back on the practice ice.
"You don't want to miss any time of playing. You love hockey and it's fun," he said. "I really missed it. It was nice to skate with them and hopefully doctor will have good news for me tomorrow."

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.