Stars at Blue Jackets: DeSmith in line to start
Dallas could turn to Trey Taylor on defence if Miro Heiskanen cannot play Thursday in Columbus.
Casey DeSmith is expected to start in goal for Dallas when the Stars visit Columbus on Thursday, according to the club's game-day guide. The game at Nationwide Arena begins at 7 p.m. ET.
The Stars are also preparing for the possibility of using rookie defenceman Trey Taylor. Coach Glen Gulutzan has not ruled Miro Heiskanen out, but Taylor would enter the lineup if Heiskanen cannot play. Heiskanen is day to day with an upper-body injury and did not skate at Wednesday's optional practice.
Taylor made his NHL debut against Montreal last Thursday, playing 10:44. Gulutzan praised his skating and simple approach. With Kyle Capobianco on injured reserve, Taylor has been Dallas's seventh defenceman.
Dallas redistributed work on the blue line after Heiskanen left Tuesday's win at Washington. Esa Lindell played 26:32 and Tyler Myers logged 21:19, while Thomas Harley had two assists. Gulutzan said Harley could help keep the defence moving in Heiskanen's absence.
Columbus has its own goaltending decision ahead of games against Dallas on Thursday and Buffalo on Friday. CBS Sports reported that Cam Talbot and Jet Greaves would divide those starts, with the order still unsettled.
Both clubs enter after high-scoring wins Tuesday: Dallas beat Washington 6-5 and Columbus defeated Colorado 7-2. The Stars won the teams' previous meeting 3-1.
