Namestnikov, Wedgewood to make Stars debuts Thursday against Hurricanes

Stars (35-24-3, 73 points) vs. Hurricanes (42-15-6, 90 points)

In the past month, the Stars have added a couple of skilled forwards in Marián Studenič and Vladislav Namestnikov, and that could come in very handy against a team like Carolina on Thursday.
The Hurricanes are great defensively, leading the league in goals-against average at 2.37 and ranking second in fewest shots against at 28.9. However, they also are one of the quickest teams in the league and frustrate teams with their speed and relentless play.
So, adding a couple of quick players who can handle the puck gives the Stars options.
Dallas has been shuffling its second, third and fourth lines lately, and the first game for Namestnikov will again send the coaches scrambling.
"It gives us a few more options," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "You look at our schedule and there are a ton of games coming up, and we have to have some options and we have to have some bodies who can play."

The coaches have broken up Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin in recent games in hopes of sparking some offense, and the team has responded with wins against Washington and Edmonton, so it looks like there will be any number of options going forward.
"Right now, we like the look of the four lines, we like the balance," Bowness said. "We have to rely on four lines. The balance is there right now, but when we have to shorten up the bench, that's when we'll put Jamie and Tyler back together."
The challenge of facing the Hurricanes is real. Dallas beat Carolina 4-1 earlier in the season, but the Stars expect a big challenge.
"They're big and fast and they're coming at you," Bowness said. "They have the reputation of being the hardest working team in the league, and it's justified. Every time we play these guys, it's a tough battle."
"We played them a lot last year, and they've been a top team the last few years," said defenseman John Klingberg. "We know they're a very fast-paced team. We talked about it in the pre-scout. They really like to go on the forecheck. They're probably the top team in the league at dumping the puck in, but also getting it back and creating chances from that. It's going to be a fast-paced game."

What to watch

Scott Wedgewood will make his debut in goal for the Stars tonight.
The 29-year-old goalie was acquired at the trade deadline and should be a big help to Jake Oettinger, who has started 19 of the past 21 games for Dallas. Wedgewood also is fresh, as he last played on March 19 and went 3-1-0 in the month of March for Arizona.
Wedgewood is 10-14-3 this season with a 3.16 GAA and .909 save percentage for a struggling Arizona team.
"That's why we got Scott," Bowness said of the quick start. "We needed a backup goalie to not only give Jake a breather but to help us keep winning games and get in the playoffs. He's going to play, and he's going to help us get there."
Wedgewood helped beat the Stars 3-1 on Feb. 20 when he made 32 saves. He's also friends with Seguin and several other Stars players, so Bowness expects there to be solid chemistry between Wedgewood and his new teammates.
"He stoned us in Arizona," Bowness said. "The guys know him a little bit, so they know he's capable of winning games for us."

Lineup update

Namestnikov will sub in for Jacob Peterson so that the Stars can keep most of the lines together.
Bowness said Peterson is playing well, but they just have to make hard decisions right now.
"Petey's been playing really well, so has Kivi," said Bowness. "It's tough when you have to tell players they're playing well, but not playing. I'm not going to break up the Roope line. Faksy's line has been good. Jamie with Marian and Rads has been good. I know Vlady well enough to know he should be a good fit with Seggy and Denis."

Here's a possible lineup:
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Namestnikov-Seguin-Gurianov
Studenic-Benn-Radulov
Raffl-Faksa-Glendening
Suter-Hakanpaa
Lindell-Klingberg
Hanley-Sekera
Wedgewood
Oettinger

Numbers

5

Carolina ranks second in the NHL in home losses at 26-5-3. Dallas is 14-16-2 on the road.

89.3

Carolina leads the NHL in penalty kill success at 89.6 percent. Dallas ranks 11th in power-play success at 23.4 percent.

31

In 27 career games against Carolina, Benn has 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) and is plus-14.

He said it

"We're always getting looks. Sometimes the pucks don't go into the net. Montreal, we had plenty of looks. Toronto was one of those games, it was a tough game in Toronto, but New York we had looks and Washington, too. We're getting our chances, and as long as it happens, we're feeling good, feeling fresh." -- Stars forward Jason Robertson on his line going three games without a goal and then scoring five goals in the past two games.
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.