"It's been long," Seguin, 24, said. "Really the last seven months have been pretty long. Not playing games, a lot of training and rehab. It's going to be nice to get one in the books tonight."
Seguin had 73 points in 72 games last season, but missed the final 10 regular-season games after he had his Achilles tendon partially cut by a skate March 17. He returned for Game 2 of the Stars' Western Conference First Round series against the Minnesota Wild but susutained a calf injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's just something I've put in the past now," Seguin said. "It happened and injuries are part of the game. I've had a couple funny ones and I worked hard to get back where I am, and here I am."
The Stars didn't run lines in the morning skate Thursday, but Seguin has been practicing with Jamie Benn and Patrick Eaves consistently.
Coach Randy Carlyle begins his second stint with the Ducks. He was hired June 14 to replace Bruce Boudreau. Carlyle previously had coached the Ducks from the 2005-11, a time period that included winning the Stanley Cup in 2007.
"Randy always has us prepared and is as good of a coach with Xs and Os as there is," Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, who made his NHL debut under Carlyle in 2010, said. "Not much has changed since he was here last time. He's demanding but also very fair and expects his player to play for him."
Dallas right wing Brett Ritchie will play against his brother, Anaheim left wing Nick Ritchie for the first time in the NHL.
"It's obviously something you think about growing up, obviously you want to make the NHL," Brett Ritchie said. "We always thought it would be cool to play against each other in the best league in the world. It's a huge game for it to be on opening night it even ups it a little bit."
Their parents, Tammy and Paul, won't be in attendance but will be watching at home in Orangeville, Ontario.
"They are probably hoping for a tie, but obviously that can't happen anymore," Nick Ritchie said. "Maybe an overtime game."
