Practice journal: Dickinson, Honka to play vs. Rangers

The Dallas Stars practiced for just under an hour Sunday morning in Frisco as they prepared for a four-game road trip through the Eastern Conference that opens Monday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.
After practice, Stars coach Ken Hitchcock had several updates on injuries and lineup moves.

First, the injuries. Forward Antoine Roussel and defenseman Greg Pateryn both did not practice Sunday. Hitchcock said they are banged up following Saturday's 5-3 loss to Vegas at American Airlines Center, but could play Monday.
"They are both on maintenance," Hitchcock said. "Roussel took a hit yesterday on the elbow, so we'll see (Monday). Pateryn has a thigh contusion. So, we'll see. Both should be available for (Monday)."
Center Martin Hanzal, who has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury, practiced Sunday for the first time since going out of the lineup and will travel with the team. Hanzal is expected to play during the trip.

"He was full practice today which was a great sign. He had a great day yesterday. He's awful close," Hitchcock said.
The Stars recalled center Jason Dickinson from the Texas Stars of the AHL on Sunday, and Hitchcock said Dickinson would be in the lineup on Monday no matter what happens on the injury front.
"He's going to play. Regardless of what happens, he's playing tomorrow," Hitchcock said. "He'll play center ice on the fourth line. Hanzal had a great day today, and we'll see if he is ready for one of the games in New York. But Dickinson will play against the Rangers (on Monday)."
This is the third call-up for Dickinson who has no points in four games for Dallas. He's been outstanding in the AHL where he has scored 13 goals in 20 games.
"We don't need him to save us," Hitchcock said. "Just come on and keep up. He's played well down there, and we need a center. That's the best case for us right now."

On defense, Julius Honka will play Monday against the Rangers after being a healthy scratch in five of the last six games. Hitchcock said even if Pateryn does play, he's not sure what he'll do on the blue line. But Honka would be in the lineup.
"I am not there yet. We'll sort it out," Hitchcock said. "Honka is going to play, but we are not sure who is coming out yet."
And Hitchcock said Kari Lehtonen will get the start in goal Monday vs. the Rangers.
The Stars, who are coming off a disappointing week where they lost three games against top teams in the West, now hit the road for games against the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers.
"This league doesn't forgive teams that aren't playing well. So it just gets tougher, and I think that's a challenge for our team," said center Jason Spezza. "We have to understand the magnitude of the trip and what it means before we hit a pretty good home stretch. We have to put ourselves in a good spot."

Sunday's practice lineup

Here's how the Stars lined up in practice Sunday.
Remi Elie - Tyler Seguin - Devin Shore
Mattias Janmark - Jason Spezza - Alexander Radulov
Jamie Benn - Radek Faksa - Tyler Pitlick
Gemel Smith - Martin Hanzal - Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis - Julius Honka
Jamie Oleksiak - Stephen Johns
Kari Lehtonen
Ben Bishop

Notes

Antoine Roussel (elbow), Greg Pateryn (thigh contusion) did not skate. ... Jason Dickinson, who was called up earlier in the day, wasn't at practice. ... Marc Methot (knee) skated before practice. He will not travel with the team.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter at @StarsInsideEdge.