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How much will Kari Lehtonen’s injury affect Dallas? (video)

By Catherine Silverman

Sep 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) is checked out by trainers during the third period against the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center. Lehtonen leaves the game with an apparent injury. The Stars defeated the Panthers 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) is checked out by trainers during the third period against the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center. Lehtonen leaves the game with an apparent injury. The Stars defeated the Panthers 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Play-by-play commentators referred to it as the “car crash in Kari Lehtonen’s net”, as the Dallas Stars goalie was blasted in a preseason game this week and taken away with injuries. While the game doesn’t count, the hit and the ramifications from it could have a huge impact on the Stars season.

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I don’t think there was anything intentional about what happened in the play. This was a classic case of Kreidergate 2.0- when you move up towards the net that quickly, there’s as much risk for you (yells Steven Stamkos) as there is for the goalie if things go wrong.

In this case, though, things did go wrong for the goaltender. It’s likely that when Minnesota Wilds’ Erik Haula head-butted the Dallas Stars netminder at top speed, Lehtonen received a concussion. No word yet on how serious the injury is, but it almost cost the Stars the game.

Luckily, Dallas forward Tyler Seguin netted a hat trick that brought home a win for the Texas team, but it became clear that should the team need to rely on backup Anders Lindback, things could go awry. Tim Thomas was eventually put in, and he’s in no condition to play a number-one netminder role for the team.

Hopefully, things aren’t as serious as they looked during the game. All signs point to this being an explosive year for the Stars, but having their starting goaltender out could dash their hopes of making the playoffs- particularly when they only secured a spot in the post-season last year due to an goalie injury issue in Arizona.

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