MORNING SKATE: Stars rookies trying to make most of opportunity in final two games

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars held a highly-optional morning on Thursday that only 12 skaters and two goalies participated in.

The group of skaters was mostly rookies or younger players (Adam Cracknell being the exception), while Antoine Roussel and his injured hand also joined them for a bit.

With just two games remaining, the younger players really are the story for the rest of the season and performances against the Nashville Predators on Thursday and the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday could start to build a case for an NHL roster spot next season.

“It’s a good chance to play games like this,” Jason Dickinson said. “You’d like to be playing in something that meant more for our team. But it’s a good chance against a playoff team.”

Antti Niemi will be in goal for Dallas.

Predators projected lineup

It’s a complete crapshoot.

Mike Fisher, Ryan Ellis, and Cody McLeod all skated late after the morning skate and appear to be getting a rest before the playoffs. Earlier this week Predators coach Peter Laviolette said he would try different lineups and make sure everyone played before Game 1 of the playoffs.

I can tell you Juuse Saros will start in goal for the Predators.

Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn — Cody Eakin — Devin Shore
Remi Elie — Tyler Seguin — Brett Ritchie
Gemel Smith — Radek Faksa — Jason Spezza
Jason Dickinson — Justin Dowling — Adam Cracknell

Esa Lindell — John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis — Julius Honka
Jamie Oleksiak — Stephen Johns

Antti Niemi
Kari Lehtonen

Scratched: Patrik Nemeth, Greg Pateryn

Injured: Mattias Janmark (knee), Antoine Roussel (hand), Curtis McKenzie (eye), Jiri Hudler (groin), Ales Hemsky (hip).