Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Kari Lehtonen May Be Out Long Term

The Dallas Stars are feeling pretty thankful that they made a trade deadline move for an insurance policy in net, acquiring Tim Thomas on Wednesday.  As the team is battling for a playoff spot, they may need to rely on Thomas as it appears that starting goalie Kari Lehtonen was concussed on Saturday and is “not doing well” according to head coach Lindy Ruff.

“We know he’s not doing that well and we have to make a decision later on (today), but it doesn’t look good though,” Ruff told reporters.

Lehtonen injured when Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula ran him over in the crease in the third period of Saturday’s game. Lehtonen fell backwards and hit his head on the crossbar.  The collision also knocked off his mask.  He was immediately replaced by Thomas who made his Stars debut.  The Stars did win the game 4-3.

“The likelihood is it’s a concussion on just a dirt play. It should be suspended – a fourth liner takes out our goaltender,” said Ruff after Saturday’s game.

Lehtonen is 25-16-10 in 53 appearances this season for Dallas.  He has a 2.47 GAA, .917 save percentage and three shutouts this season.  He was also part of the Finnish Olympic team in Sochi, where he backed up Tuukka Rask, and started the semi-final loss to Sweden when Rask was ill.

Thomas is likely to start tonight’s game against Columbus.  The Stars have recalled goalie Cristopher Nilstorp from their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.  He is expected to be the backup.

 

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Main Photo Credit: Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images

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