FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Stars defenseman Brenden Dillon will not play in Game 3 of their Western Conference First Round Series against the Anaheim Ducks (9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, RDS, TSN, KDOC, TXA 21) at American Airlines Center. Dillon, who has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury, skated before practice Sunday morning but isn't ready.
The Ducks lead the best-of-7 series 2-0.
"[He] skated this morning for just a short period of time, [he's] better," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "[He] may have a chance to skate with the team [Monday], which we're advancing, but he won't be ready to play."
In Dillon's absence, Ruff paired rookie defenseman Patrik Nemeth, Dallas' second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, alongside Jordie Benn, Dillon's normal partner in the Stars' second pairing for much of the season.
Nemeth, who was recalled from Texas of the American Hockey League on March 31 and made his NHL debut April 1 at the Washington Capitals, has eight games of NHL experience, but Ruff likes what he has seen from him so far.
"He's been a solid defender," Ruff said. "He's got good size. Physically he's strong. I just think he has tremendous upside. He's playing at a good level now. He puts a smile on your face, that kid, he really does."