Stars coach Pete DeBoer told Seattle Hockey Insider on Monday morning that Tyler Seguin's injury is manageable and that the veteran forward likely won't be out for more than a couple of weeks.
"We got some great news in that it could have been a lot worse," DeBoer told Rob Simpson about a leg laceration Seguin suffered against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. "It didn't cut into muscle fiber or tendons or nerves. It's just a superficial cut, but where it is on your leg, every time you bend, you could open it up, so we have to wait for that to heal. The good news is it shouldn't be more than a couple of weeks at the most, and it could have been a lot worse."
Dellandrea joins line with Marchment, Domi again against Seattle
The trio recorded three points during the previous matchup, including one goal and two assists
By
Mike Heika
Senior Staff Writer
Seguin is not with the team right now but could rejoin at some point on this six-game road trip. In the meantime, Ty Dellandrea has jumped up into his spot at the right wing on a line with Mason Marchment and Max Domi, and the trio looked good on Saturday in a 4-3 overtime win against Seattle.
"Ty is a little like a Swiss Army knife," DeBoer said. "Wherever you stick him, I think he helps and contributes. I'm not surprised that he's jumped right in there and helped those guys. That line was effective last game."
The line had a goal and two assists on Saturday in about 16 minutes of ice time. Marchment scored a goal for the third time in four games and Domi had a great setup on Miro Heiskanen's game-winning goal.
Each member of the line has an interesting story. Marchment signed a four-year free agent contract with the Stars in the off-season but hit a 32-game goal drought in the middle of the season. He has since busted out and is playing with a lot of confidence.
"Mason Marchment is back to playing the way he's capable of playing for us," DeBoer said. "Big goal. I thought Dellandrea played a hell of a game. I thought Max played a hell of a game."
Domi was acquired from Chicago before the trade deadline and has a goal and two assists in four games with the Stars. He has impressed his linemates with his speed and skill.
"He brings it all," Marchment said. "He brings physical, he brings speed, he hangs onto pucks, he's got a great shot. He competes and he's a great fit for us."
Dellandrea added, "New face in Maxie and he brings a lot of skill and speed to our team. I feel like we're finding a lot of offensive zone time, and it's good."
DeBoer said he likes Domi's overall game.
"What I like more about Max is his 200-foot game for us right now," DeBoer said. "He's putting himself in spots where he wants the puck, he's carrying the puck through the neutral zone, he's making plays at the right time. He's been really good."
Marchment and Dellandrea played together earlier in the season, and they both hail from the Toronto area.
"We're from the same hometown and we're pretty close, so it's a pretty easy transition," Marchment said. "Obviously, we miss Sego and hopefully he comes back soon. But it felt good tonight and we're just going to try to keep riding it."
Domi also grew up in the Toronto area and said he has been enjoying spending time with his new linemates on this road trip.
"I think the three of us get along, obviously, off the ice really well and have spent some time together and so we're building some chemistry out there and having fun," Domi said. "The way the three of us play the game seems to complement each other, so it's working out and we have to keep building."
The fact he is fitting in so well allows the Stars to roll four lines, despite the Seguin injury, and create offense from every line. That's important, as the Stars play Seattle for the second time in three nights, a rarity in the NHL.
"This time of year, every game is going to feel like a playoff game," Domi said. "But when you play the same team that's in your radar for playoffs, it's going to get pretty heated."
Key Numbers
54.8
Dallas leads the NHL in faceoff winning percentage at 54.8. Seattle is last at 45.3 percent.
.877
Seattle's Martin Jones is 3-8-0 in his career against Dallas with a 3.23 GAA and .877 save percentage. Stars starter Jake Oettinger is 3-1-0 against Seattle with a 2.49 GAA and .914 save percentage.
5-0-1
Dallas is 5-0-1 in its past six road games.
He said it
"I've been hearing about them analytically and how well they're playing and their depth. When you see it first-hand, you see why they're having success. They really play with a lot of speed, they stretch the ice, their D are involved in every rush, and they're deep."
- Stars coach Pete DeBoer on seeing Seattle for the first time of the season on Saturday.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
Marchment-Domi-Dellandrea
Kiviranta-Faksa-Olofsson
Heiskanen-Miller
Lindell-Hakanpää
Suter-Hanley
Oettinger
Murray
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
