Alex Chiasson Recalled by Dallas Stars; Kari Lehtonen to Start in Los Angeles

With Ray Whitney a game-time decision after an undisclosed injury in Denver Wednesday night, the Dallas announced Thursday afternoon that they've recalled forward Alex Chiasson from the Texas Stars.

Chiasson had a slow start to the year after turning pro full-time, but had since ramped up his production, earning 32 points on the year so far. The guess here is that if Whitney can't go tonight that Chiasson would likely see "fourth line" duty and that Roussel could possibly move up and skate with Benn and Eriksson. As usual that's just a guess.

What does this all say about Tomas Vincour, however? The Stars already have an extra body there as insurance. Perhaps Vincour plays and Chiasson gets a nice check or two while watching.

It could be that there's more than one injury and/or illness keeping bodies out of tonight's contest and that Vincour could play as well, but if Chiasson sees action with the team ahead of Vincour then it makes you wonder what's holding them back from playing a guy with 80 NHL game's experience over a rookie who hasn't yet seen action at this level.

Mike Heika reports that Philip Larsen still has flu-like symptoms and is being called a game-time decision tonight. Stephane Robidas is expected to play.

The word from Heika on the goaltender situation is that Kari Lehtonen will go back-to-back, so Jack Campbell won't see any NHL action just yet as the Stars desperately chase points now.

The release on Chiasson...

FRISCO, Texas - The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has recalled forward Alex Chiasson from the Texas Stars, Dallas' development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Chiasson, 22, has earned 32 points (12G-20A) and 41 penalty minutes in 53 games for Texas this season. The St. Augustin, Que., native ranks third on the club in scoring and began his professional career last season with Texas after spending three seasons at Boston University. Chiasson led BU with 46 points (15G-31A) last year in his junior season and was named a 2012 Hockey East Honorable Mention All-Star. The 6-foot-4, 187-pound forward was Dallas' second-round selection (38th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

The Dallas Stars conclude a two-game road trip in Los Angeles tonight at 9:30 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports Southwest, Radio: 1310 The Ticket).