Gameday Preview: Dallas Stars Host Tampa Bay Lightning (7:30pm CDT)

23 weeks. 166 days. 3,984 hours. 240,000~ minutes. It doesn't matter how you slice it; What's important is that it's been entirely too long since the American Airlines Center was open for hockey business and sold an insanely expensive beer to me. The drought ends tonight as the Tampa Bay Lightning come to town to open the pre-season at 7:30pm CDT.

The Stars:

If you're in to watching the Stars best and brightest, tonight might not be for you. Brad Richards, James Neal, Loui Eriksson, Jamie Benn and Steve Ott are not expected to play tonight as the roster is so large and the younger players must be evaluated.

The great news for we prospect watchers is that Scott Glennie, Philip Larsen, and Severin Blindenbacher will be featured tonight. This will be Scott Glennies first game at the American Airlines Center and fans first chance to see his speed in a game situation. Philip Larsen (D) played two games with the Stars last year, taking part in the Modano-farewell game, and could (looking at this lineup) quarterback the Stars power play tonight.

We'll also be keeping an eye on tryout Jonathan Cheechoo who will be looking to make an impact with the Ribeiro/Morrow duo. Mike Ribeiro is revitalized and ready to go and Marc Crawford said he looked like the best player at camp this weekend.

Perhaps most importantly, the backup netminder battle will be front and center tonight as Brent Krahn and Andrew Raycroft split this game 50/50. With Kari Lehtonen expected to get 3 full games in the pre-season, these two will need to take maximum advantage of the minimal opportunities afforded them.

Expected lineup after the jump...

Forwards: Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro, Jonathan Cheechoo, Francis Wathier, Mathieu Tousignant, Greg Rallo, Scott Glennie, Toby Petersen, Krys Barch, Tomas Vincour, Aaron Gagnon, Brian Sutherby, .

Defensemen: Philip Larsen, Trevor Daley, Matt Niskanen, Mark Fistric, Severin Blindenbacher, Brad Lukowich

Goaltenders: Krahn, Raycroft.

If you go tonight, keep an eye on Aaron Gagnon and Greg Rallo who both impressed in the AHL playoffs last year with the Texas Stars.

The Lightning:

Former Stars goaltender Mike Smith was scheduled to get time tonight, but a practice injury will keep him home. Instead, the Stars will see former Predator Dan Ellis.

Mike Heika says the expected TB lineup is...

TB lineup

9 Downie, Steve
18 Hall, Adam
24 Harju, Johan
6 Malone, Ryan
19 Moore, Dominic
71 Panik, Richard
23 Persson, Niklas
43 Pouliot, Marc-Antoine
16 Purcell, Teddy
44 Thompson, Nate
42 Tyrell, Dana
43 Wright, James

DEFENSEMEN

7 Clark, Brett
58 Jackson, Scott
5 Ohlund, Mattias
28 Roy, Matt
32 Smaby, Matt
48 Vernace, Mike

GOALTENDERS

30 Desjardins, Cedrick
41 Smith, Mike