Khudobin to make debut for Stars against Ducks

Goaltender Anton Khudobin will make his first start as a Dallas Star in tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks at American Airlines Center.
The 32-year-old Khudobin, who was signed as a free agent this offseason, was the first goaltender off the ice at this morning's skate at the AAC and said he was ready to make his Dallas debut.
"Feel good. It was a normal pregame skate, get some shots going and get ready for tonight," Khudobin said. "Probably will be a little bit nervous I would say with first start and stuff like that. I have had this before, so I've just got to follow my routine."

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Stars coach Jim Montgomery explained the goaltending decision as his team faces three games in four nights including road games at Ottawa (Monday) and New Jersey (Tuesday).
"Anton's been really good through the preseason and we thought his first game should be at home and Bish will get the first game on the road. That's what the thinking was," Montgomery said.
As expected, the Stars will make one change on defense tonight. Julius Honka will come in on defense and play his first game of the season after sitting out the first three as a healthy scratch.
"I feel good," Honka said. "It's fun to be back there. I've been working hard. It's exciting, and it's fun to be back in the game."
Coming into the season, Honka appeared to be ready to seize regular playing time, but the 22-year-old has once again found himself battling to work his way into the lineup.
"It's a process," Honka said. As a young guy you've got to get your work habits right, and you have to earn your spot. It's started with practice, and you have to show that you're the top player."

Montgomery has liked what he's seen from Honka in practice recently and hopes to see it transfer to tonight's game.
"I want him to play aggressively, defensively and offensively," Montgomery said. "That means he needs to move his feet. We talked about it this morning that he's been doing that in practice and hopefully that can carry over."
Honka will skate with Marc Methot, who had been paired with rookie Miro Heiskanen in the first three games.
"[Methot] did such a great job bringing Heiskanen along that we want to give Honka every opportunity to have success," Montgomery said.
Roman Polak is the expected scratch on defense.
As expected, Montgomery juggled his forward lines and used the same trios this morning that he rolled out in Friday's practice.
He kept the top line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Alexander Radulov together and the other three have new looks. Devin Shore will center Mattias Janmark and Blake Comeau. Jason Dickinson comes back into the lineup and will play left wing with center Radek Faksa and right wing Tyler Pitlick. Jason Spezza will center Valeri Nichushkin and Brett Ritchie.
Roope Hintz and Gemel Smith are the expected scratches.
Tonight's game wraps up a four-game homestand for the Stars (2-1-0).

Opposition watch: Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks (3-0-1) are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to Arizona on Wednesday at Honda Center that snapped their season-opening win streak at three games.
Center Ryan Kesler returned to the lineup for Anaheim after missing the first three games of the season and scored one goal, but the Ducks are without center Ryan Getzlaf (groin), right wing Corey Perry (knee), right wing Ondrej Kase (concussion), and right wing Patrick Eaves (shoulder). The Ducks are also without left wing Nick Ritchie, a restricted free agent who has yet to sign a contract.
John Gibson, who has stopped 128 of 134 shots for a .944 save percentage in the first four games, is the expected starter in goal tonight for the Ducks.

Morning skate notes

Tonight's game

Who:Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars
Where:American Airlines Center
When: 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio:The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM

Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn - Tyler Seguin - Alexander Radulov
Mattias Janmark - Devin Shore - Blake Comeau
Jason Dickinson - Radek Faksa - Tyler Pitlick
Valeri Nichushkin - Jason Spezza - Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Marc Methot - Julius Honka
Miro Heiskanen - Connor Carrick
Anton Khudobin
Ben Bishop
Scratched:Roope Hintz, Roman Polak, Gemel Smith
Injured:Stephen Johns (post-traumatic headaches), Martin Hanzal (back)

Ducks projected lineup

Maxime Comtois - Adam Henrique - Jakob Silfverberg
Andrew Cogliano - Ryan Kesler- Rickard Rakell
Isac Lundestrom - Sam Steel - Kiefer Sherwood
Ben Street - Carter Rowney - Brian Gibbons
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Montour
Cam Fowler - Josh Manson
Marcus Pettersson - Luke Schenn
John Gibson
Ryan Miller
Scratched:Troy Terry, Andrej Sustr
Injured:Ryan Getzlaf (groin), Patrick Eaves (shoulder), Corey Perry (knee), Ondrej Kase (concussion)
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski has covered the Stars for DallasStars.com since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.