On Monday morning, the Dallas Stars announced goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp had been returned to Texas of the American Hockey League. Nilstorpâs lone appearance with the Stars came on Sunday night in Winnipeg, when he entered the game in relief of starter Tim Thomas after he had stopped 13 of 17 shots before departing.
Nilstorp didnât fare any better, stopping 14 of 17 as Dallas lost 7-2 at Winnipeg to kick off their three-game road trip in very disappointing fashion.
But there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel as Nilstorpâs return to the AHL means that Starsâ No. 1 goaltender Kari Lehtonen has recovered from his concussion symptoms and could return to the crease on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
Lehtonen had to come out of the March 8 win over the Minnesota Wild after Wild center Erik Haula went hard into him, a collision so rough that it knocked Lehtonenâs mask off and forced him to bang the back of his head into the crossbar.
Thomas has started the three full games since, but if the Stars are to end a five-year playoff drought, they will need both Lehtonen and Thomas healthy and in top form.
