Preview: Senators at Stars

SENATORS (36-22-6) AT STARS (27-29-10)
8 p.m. ET; SN360, FS-SW, RDS, NHL.TV

Senators team scope

Forward Kyle Turris won't play for the Ottawa Senators because of a finger injury and is likely to miss the game Thursday at the Arizona Coyotes. "It's the same nagging stuff as before, now it needs time to heal," coach Guy Boucher said. "Maybe the whole trip, so we'll see." With Turris out, Zack Smith will move to center. Boucher said he hadn't decided on his lineup and could go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. If Ottawa goes with 12 forwards, Christopher DiDomenico would make his NHL debut. DiDomenico joined the Senators on March 1 after spending most of the season with the SCL Tigers in Switzerland. "I've been around the game quite a bit now, it's going to be the first NHL game, so yeah, you'll have a little jitters," DiDomenico said. "But I think that will go away a little bit." Goalie Craig Anderson, who has won each of his past four starts allowing a total of six goals, will start. He could tie Patrick Lalime for most wins in Senators history (146).

Stars team scope

The Dallas Stars are trying to win three straight games, something they've done once this season (Dec. 23-29). "Liked our compete and the way we just managed to find ways to win games," forward Devin Shore said. "There are so many things that happen during the course of a game. All that really matters now is finding a way." Dallas is 1-2-1 in the third game after winning two straight. Rookie forward Remi Elie will play his third game since getting called up from Texas of the American Hockey League. Elie grew up in Cornwall, Ontario, about 60 miles from Ottawa, and the first NHL game he attended was a Senators game. "I don't remember who they played," Elie said. "There is probably a picture at home. It's pretty cool to play against them now." Goaltender Kari Lehtonen will make his third straight start after making 83 saves on 86 shots in wins against the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals. "He's been our best player the last two games," defenseman Stephen Johns said. "When he makes a big save, it's like a big hit or a blocked shot. It gets us going."

Senators projected lineup

Alexandre Burrows -- Derick Brassard -- Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Tom Pyatt
Ryan Dzingel -- Zack Smith -- Christopher DiDomenico
Viktor Stalberg -- Chris Kelly -- Tommy Wingels
Marc Methot -- Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf -- Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki -- Chris Wideman
Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
Scratched:Fredrik Claesson, Jyrki Jokipakka
Injured:Chris Neil (broken finger), Bobby Ryan (broken finger), Clarke MacArthur (concussion), Kyle Turris (finger)

Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn -- Jason Spezza -- Tyler Seguin
Remi Elie -- Cody Eakin -- Ales Hemsky
Devin Shore -- Radek Faksa -- Patrick Sharp
Curtis McKenzie -- Adam Cracknell -- Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell -- John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis -- Stephen Johns
Jamie Oleksiak -- Patrik Nemeth
Kari Lehtonen
Antti Niemi
Scratched:Greg Pateryn, Jiri Hudler
Injured:Mattias Janmark (knee), Antoine Roussel (hand)

Status report

Boucher said injuries could affect who plays on defense.

Who's hot

Karlsson has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in his past 12 games. ... Burrows has four points in three games since joining the Senators. ... Benn has 10 points (five goals, five assists) during a seven-game point streak. ... Klingberg has eight points (three goals, five assists) during a six-game point streak.