Trying to find the proper deployment for the Stars' versatile center group has been a challenge this season, but head coach Jim Montgomery might have hit on a unique option Tuesday.
Even with center Jason Spezza sidelined by an illness that will keep him out of the lineup Tuesday against the Calgary Flames (7:30 p.m. CT; FS-SW+; KTCK), Montgomery still wants to try playing centers Martin Hanzal and Radek Faksa on the same line.
Hanzal has played four games since returning from spinal fusion surgery, but the coaching staff would like to start ramping up the minutes for the 31-year-old, who has averaged 17:43 in time on ice in his career. He currently is logging 13:49 a game this season.
Faksa is fourth among Stars forwards in time on ice at 16:02 this season and has taken the second-most faceoffs behind Tyler Seguin, so combining him with Hanzal on the same line can get both into key situations more often.
Will moving Faksa to wing solve Stars' center deployment issue?
Combining the forward with Hanzal on the same line might get both players into key situations more often
![Heika_Faksa](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_png/prd/xxz6zijmjjp3pqfklw8z.png)
Stars bracing for hot Flames team
DAL@SJS: Faksa bags rebound to open the scoring
DAL@VGK: Hanzal redirects shot for power-play goal