Settled into new role, Lehtonen on good run for Stars

Stars coach Ken Hitchcock has been pretty open with the media about his goaltending plans, often revealing his starters days in advance. Someone asked Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen if the advanced notice helped as he prepared for his infrequent starts this season.
Lehtonen was quick to respond.

"Let me know the next time when he tells you that, so I can prepare to be ready," Lehtonen said with a smile and drawing laughs from the media.
And then he continued.
"No, as a goalie you always know at least one day before at least," Lehtonen said. "That's all that you need. It doesn't have to be four days."
Well, Hitchcock revealed Monday that Lehtonen would get the start Thursday in Arizona, and nothing has changed. Lehtonen will be making his 13th start of the season when the Stars face the Coyotes and try to snap a two-game skid.
Lehtonen has been on a strong run lately. He is 5-2-0 in his last seven starts -- all on the road -- with a 1.98 goals against average and .929 save percentage.
"He's given us a chance every night, especially on the road here," Hitchcock said. "I am looking forward to seeing how he does."
Ten of Lehtonen's 12 starts this season have come on the road, where he is 6-4-1 with a 2.16 goals against average and .921 save percentage. The home numbers aren't quite as good: 1-1-0 with a 3.66 GAA and .882 SV%. Lehtonen doesn't read much into that.

"I don't think there is any difference," Lehtonen said. "It's still a hockey game, and my job is to stop pucks, help this team get a chance to get two points. I don't think it matters. The ice is the same in every place, and my job is the same."
But this has been a season of change for Lehtonen. After serving as the Stars number one goaltender for five seasons starting in 2010-11 and then splitting the net with Antti Niemi the previous two seasons, he is in a backup role now behind Ben Bishop. That's led to just 12 starts in the first 51 games. He started 52 games last season and averaged more than 60 when he was the clear-cut number one.
"It's been different for sure," said Lehtonen. "Just trying to work hard in practice, trying to find my game and be sharp when I get to play there. It's worked out well so far, and the plan is to keep it going."
But the adjustment took some time.
"It took a month or two to learn the ropes, not get frustrated and keep going and going," Lehtonen said. "After I figured that out, it's been good. I've been working out there hard, knowing that opportunity might not come tomorrow or the next day, but it will come at some point. I just need to keep trying to stay fresh."
Lehtonen has earned high marks from Hitchcock, who was praising the veteran netminder just before the All-Star break.
"The surprise of the season to me is Kari Lehtonen. His professionalism, his execution, his practices, his disposition. To me, he has been the biggest surprise of this hockey club," Hitchcock said. "I didn't know anything about him, but he has been a first-class pro and works his tail off, competes like crazy in practice. He has unbelievable daily focus, not only game days but off days. It's very impressive."
And Lehtonen appears to be feeling good about things right now, settling into a new role and playing well. Which led to another question from the media, this one about if he is happy where his game is now. And Lehtonen responded with a pithy answer.
"I feel pretty good about where my game is," Lehtonen said. "That's it. That's the answer to your question."

Notes: Roussel practices

• Stars forward Antoine Roussel, who missed Tuesday's game due to a nasal infection, went through a full practice Wednesday afternoon in Frisco. His status for the Arizona game will be determined Thursday.
"We'll evaluate him tomorrow, but he took part in a full practice today, which is a good sign," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said.
• Stars defenseman Dan Hamhuis left practice early but is expected to play Thursday in Arizona.
"He had a little bit of the flu bug, so we had him out there early and then he took off right after that," Hitchcock said. "He's fine for tomorrow."
• The lines looked a little different in practice with Mattias Janmark skating with Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov, and Jamie Benn on a line with Radek Faksa and Tyler Pitlick. Hitchcock was quick to shoot down a question about it.
"Don't read anything into it right now," Hitchcock said.
And then he said it again.
"Don't read anything into it right now," he said.
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 Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.