Methot set to return as Stars embark on pivotal stretch

Marc Methot is expected to return to the lineup tonight when the Dallas Stars open a crucial three-game homestand against the Boston Bruins at American Airlines Center.
The defenseman has missed the last four games with a hand injury suffered on March 13 in Montreal.

"It feels okay. It's manageable," Methot said. "At this time of the year, you've got to do what you can to help. It's just going to be a simple game for me tonight, hopefully bring a little physicality and try to help out the team."
Methot's return comes as the Stars (38-28-8) are coming off a dismal road trip that saw them go 0-4-2 and fall from the first wild-card spot in the West to 10th place and three points out of the final playoff spot with just eight games remaining in the season. This homestand is key as the Stars, who are 24-10-3 at the AAC, try to climb back up the standings. And the climb has to start tonight against Boston.
"It's bringing enthusiasm to the arena. We had a good, lively group this morning at the pregame skate, and that's where it starts," said Methot. "And with tonight, we have a lot of guys that have played quite a few games and are very vocal in the room, so I think it's just a matter of making sure everyone is settled in. And it's managing those first couple shifts when those butterflies are there. Hopefully, you settle in and don't worry about all that other stuff."
With Methot's return, the Dallas defense pairs will have a familiar look. Methot skated with Stephen Johns at this morning's skate while Esa Lindell-John Klingberg and Dan Hamhuis-Greg Pateryn were the other defense pairs.
At forward, Brett Ritchie will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last game due to illness. Ritchie skated on the top line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn this morning. Radek Faksa centered the second line with Mattias Janmark and Alexander Radulov. As for the other lines, Antoine Roussel and Tyler Pitlick were on the wings with Devin Shore at center, and Jason Dickinson was in the middle with Remi Elie and Curtis McKenzie on his wings.

McKenzie, who was called up for Tuesday's game in Washington, skated with the second power-play unit at this morning's skate along with Faksa, Janmark, Lindell, and Johns.
"McKenzie has been very good at the American Hockey League level, and from college on he's been a scorer around the net, so we want to get him in those net areas," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "All year we haven't got much from our second unit, it's been pretty much leaning on the first unit. This is going to give us a working unit that is going to give us three players that are awful strong on the puck."
McKenzie has scored 13 of his 24 goals in the AHL this season on the power play, ranking second in the league in goals with the man-advantage.
"It's a spot that I've exceled at in the American League and have never had a shot at in the NHL, so it is something I am definitely looking forward to," McKenzie said. "I don't think anything changes as far as being a net-front guy. Obviously, bigger bodies and stronger guys around you, but I don't think that is going to be an issue. I'll definitely feel confident in front of that net and excited for it."
The first power-play unit will have Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Brett Ritchie, and John Klingberg.
Kari Lehtonen starts tonight in goal.
Julius Honka, Dillon Heatherington, and Gemel Smith are the expected healthy scratches.

Bruins Watch

Tuukka Rask is the likely starter in goal tonight for Boston (45-17-10). Rask is 30-11-5 with a 2.35 goals against average and .916 save percentage. Defenseman Torey Krug, who missed the last game with an upper-body injury, will be a game-time decision. The Bruins, who clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday, will be missing several key players due to injury, including forwards Patrice Bergeron, Rick Nash, and David Backes and defensemen Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy.

Tonight's Game

Who:Boston Bruins at Dallas Stars
Where: American Airlines Center
When:7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio:The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM

Stars Projected Lineup

Jamie Benn - Tyler Seguin - Brett Ritchie
Mattias Janmark - Radek Faksa - Alexander Radulov
Antoine Roussel - Devin Shore- Tyler Pitlick
Remi Elie - Jason Dickinson - Curtis McKenzie
Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis - Greg Pateryn
Marc Methot - Stephen Johns
Kari Lehtonen
Mike McKenna
Scratched: Julius Honka, Gemel Smith, Dillon Heatherington
Injured:Ben Bishop (knee), Jason Spezza (back), Martin Hanzal (back)

Bruins Projected Lineup

Brad Marchand - Riley Nash - David Pastrnak
Ryan Donato - David Krejci - Danton Heinen
Tim Schaller - Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari
Brian Gionta - Tommy Wingels - Jaden Szwarz
Nick Holden - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller
Paul Postma - Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin
Scratched: None
Injured:Rick Nash (upper body), Zdeno Chara (upper body), Torey Krug (upper body), Jake DeBrusk (upper body), Patrice Bergeron (foot), Charlie McAvoy (knee), David Backes (leg laceration)
This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.