DALLAS -- Here are the projected lineups for Saturday night’s game between the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.
COYOTES
Steve Sullivan-Martin Hanzal-Radim Vrbata
Mikkel Boedkker-Matthew Lombardi-Shane Doan
Lauri Korpikoski-Antoine Vermette-David Moss
Paul Bissonnette-Boyd Gordon-Kyle Chipchura
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Zybnek Michalek
Keith Yandle-Derek Morris
Rotislav Klesla-David Schlemko
Injuries: Raffi Torres (suspension).
Scratches: Alex Bolduc, David Rundblad.
NOTES: Fresh off a trip to the 2012 Western Conference Finals, the Coyotes, who went 7-2-1 in their final 10 games last season, visit Dallas to open the truncated 2012-13 campaign. Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett coached the Stars from 2002 through 2009 and is 11-4-3 against Dallas since taking over the Coyote bench. Several newcomers will make their Phoenix debut tonight, including Matthew Lombardi (Maple Leafs), Zybnek Michalek (Penguins), David Moss (Flames), and Steve Sullivan (Penguins). Lombardi was acquired in a trade with Toronto earlier in the week but was scheduled to participate in morning skate. This is his second stint in Phoenix after coming over in a pre-deadline deal in 2009. Lombardi also had 53 points (19-34-53) in 78 games for the Coyotes in 2009-10.
STARS
Loui Eriksson-Derek Roy-Jaromir Jagr
Ray Whitney-Tom Wandell-Michael Ryder
Brenden Morrow-Vernon Fiddler-Eric Nystrom
Ryan Garbutt-Cody Eakin-Reilly Smith
Alex Goligoski-Stephane Robidas
Jordie Benn-Trevor Daley
Brenden Dillon-Philip Larsen
Christopher Nilstorp
Scratches: Colton Sceviour.
Injuries: Aaron Rome (groin).
Notes: Tonight’s game will mark the Dallas debut for Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy, and Ray Whitney, the three biggest additions to the club this past off-season. Cody Eakin, who came to the Stars in the draft-day trade that sent Mike Ribeiro to the Capitals, will also make his Dallas debut. The Stars will be without C Jamie Benn, a 2012 All-Star who was second on the club with 63 points. Benn, a restricted free agent, and the club have yet to agree to terms on a new contract.
Two current Stars, third-line center Vernon Fiddler and Whitney, have ties to Phoenix. Fiddler played for the Coyotes in 2009-10 and 2010-11 while Whitney was in the desert in 2010-11 and 2011-12, leading the team last season with 77 points. The Stars are 8-2-3 in home openers since relocating to Dallas in 1993. Dallas will be looking to improve on a power play that converted an NHL-worst 13.5 percent of the time last year, ranking as the least productive unit in franchise history. The Stars have missed the playoffs four straight years.