Radulov not ready to return, will miss Stars' game vs. Kings

Stars forward Alexander Radulov took part in the team's optional morning skate at American Airlines Center, but he left the ice after seven minutes.
A little more than 30 minutes later came word that Radulov would not play tonight against Los Angeles, missing his second straight game due to a lower-body injury.
With Radulov out, it appears that Tyler Pitlick will get bumped up to the top line and play right wing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
"I asked them who they wanted, and they said they wanted [Pitlick]," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "I am going to give Tyler Seguin who he wants."

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Montgomery said Pitlick would also take Radulov's spot on the top power-play unit as well. Pitlick filled in there during Friday's game against Minnesota.
The full lineup for tonight is up in the air because Montgomery found out about Radulov just moments before talking to the media. Montgomery did say he is considering playing seven defensemen tonight.
"We're going to sit down and talk about how much we are going to use the seventh defenseman compared to the 12th forward," Montgomery said. "Whoever we think will get more minutes is the person that goes."
Montgomery added that against a team like the Kings there could be some advantages to dressing an extra guy on the blue line.
"We have different tools on our (defensive) set," Montgomery said. "If you look at five, six, and seven -- Roman Polak, Connor Carrick, and Julius Honka -- they all present different problems for LA, either speed or strength and you need both against LA."
So, warm-ups will tell the tale on the decision if the Stars go with seven defensemen.
Ben Bishop was among the players who chose not to skate this morning, so it appears he will be in goal tonight against Los Angeles.
The Stars (3-4-0) come into tonight's game trying to snap a three-game losing streak and they'll be facing a Kings team that has dropped four in a row.
"You've got two desperate teams. It's going to be a real intense game," Montgomery said.
"We're on our own little skid, and they are too," said Stars forward Devin Shore. "It's going to be a battle out there. These are the fun ones."

Johns getting close

Stars defenseman Stephen Johns, who has yet to play this season because of post-traumatic headaches, appears to be getting closer to a return. Johns went through a full practice Monday without any headaches or ringing in his ears.
On Tuesday, Montgomery said Johns has a target date for a return.
"He's telling us that he's targeting Detroit on Sunday," Montgomery said. "That's a positive that he is thinking that way."

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Opposition watch: Los Angeles Kings

The Kings (2-5-1) are coming off a 5-1 loss to Buffalo Saturday at Staples Center. The loss to the Sabres was the fourth straight for the Kings who have been outscored 21-5 during the skid.
"Can't go back in time. We've got to learn from the mistakes that we've made," Kings defenseman Dion Phaneuf told lakingsinsider.com on Monday. "We've got to move forward, and I thought today was a good practice, good energy, and it's about attitude, and it's about bringing the right energy. You saw that today. We've had the work ethic. Sometimes we've got to work a little bit smarter. We know where we're at. We've got a veteran group in here, and it's about us to get ourselves out of it."
Jonathan Quick is the expected starter in goal for the Kings.
Forward Dustin Brown, who has yet to play this season due to a broken finger, is on the trip but will not play Tuesday.

Stat pack

Tonight's game

Who:Los Angeles Kings 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 - Tyler Pitlick
Devin Shore - Jason Spezza - Justin Dowling
Mattias Janmark - Radek Faksa - Blake Comeau
Jason Dickinson - Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Marc Methot - Miro Heiskanen
Connor Carrick - Roman Polak/Julius Honka
Ben Bishop
Anton Khudobin
Scratched:Gemel SmithInjured:Alexander Radulov (lower body), Valeri Nichushkin (lower body), Stephen Johns (post-traumatic headaches), Martin Hanzal back

Kings projected lineup

Alex Iafallo - Anze Kopitar - Tyler Toffoli
Ilya Kovalchuk - Jeff Carter - Sheldon Rempal
Tanner Pearson - Adrian Kempe - Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford - Nate Thompson - Michael Amadio
Derek Forbort - Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin - Alec Martinez
Dion Phaneuf - Sean Walker
Jonathan Quick
Jack Campbell
Scratched: Paul LaDue, Oscar Fantenberg, Austin WagnerInjured:Dustin Brown (finger), Jonny Brodzinski (shoulder)
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.