The Dallas Stars still can’t catch a break on the injury front.
Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak left Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks with an upper-body injury in the second period.
Oleksiak had just one shift in the second period after he had six shifts in the first period.
“Oleksiak is going to be out a little bit of time,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “Don’t know exactly how much.”
With the injury Stephen Johns could be back in the lineup when the Stars host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday at American Airlines Center.
The Stars also dealt with injuries at forward in the loss.
Patrick Eaves left the game in the third period, around the same time it was announced Oleksiak wouldn’t return. Eaves was ridden along the boards by Corey Perry and collided with an open door in front of the Stars’ bench.
Eaves, who has been dealing with a foot injury all season, did not return to the game.
Eaves hurt by the open door pic.twitter.com/ThTPQkvOVP
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 11, 2017
Ruff said Eaves would likely be Ok.
The goals
Second period
14:33 Jakob Silfverberg scored on a rebound on the power play. The goal ended a stretch of 16 consecutive failed power plays for the Ducks. Ducks 1, Stars 0
Silfverberg gets the rebound off Niemi thanks to a Perry shot and it’s 1-0 Ducks on the power play. pic.twitter.com/gv1PomL5kk
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) January 11, 2017
Third period
14:42 Andrew Cogliano scored on a rush to give the Ducks the needed insurance goal. Ducks 2, Stars 0
Cogliano goal pic.twitter.com/xON0Zeeyak
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 11, 2017
Niemi gets a rare road start
Antti Niemi made his first road start since Dec. 1 and just his sixth road start of the season on Tuesday.
Niemi has been very good at home this season, but entered Tuesday’s game with a 4.58 goals against average and .858 save percentage on the road.
“I think it’s just the way things have unraveled (this season),” Ruff said before the game. “We need him to be sharp for us.”
And Niemi was very good as he turned away 35 shots, including this gem in the third period on Cogliano:
ANTTI NIEMI FROM DOWNTOWN pic.twitter.com/fgOaSrV4fp
— Pat Iversen (@Pat_Iversen) January 11, 2017
Stars lineup
Hudler-Spezza-Seguin
Roussel-Eakin-Eaves
Shore-Faksa-Sharp
Korpikoski-Cracknell-Ritchie
Lindell-Klingberg
Hamhuis-Oleksiak
Oduya-Benn
Niemi
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