Dallas Stars getting their top goalie back in net

Kari Lehtonen will be back in goal for the Dallas Stars after missing nearly four full games because of a groin injury.

Coach Glen Gulutzan said Wednesday that Lehtonen be the starting goaltender Thursday night against Vancouver.

The Stars will be without rookie Alex Chiasson, who has six goals and an assist in his seven games. He sustained a shoulder injury in a 5-2 loss at Western Conference-leading Chicago on Monday night.

Dallas, which won five in a row before Chicago, is only two points out of eighth place and a playoff spot with six games to play.

Lehtonen hasn't played since the first period of the Stars' 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on April 9. Richard Bachman took over in that game and started the last three.