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Facing elimination, Stars expected to stick with Lehtonen

Dallas Stars v St. Louis Blues - Game Three

ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 3: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars makes a save against the St. Louis Blues in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scottrade Center on May 3, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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It looks like the Dallas Stars are sticking with Kari Lehtonen.

Lehtonen was reportedly the first goalie off the ice this morning in St. Louis, where the visitors will be fighting for their playoff lives later tonight. The Blues lead the series, 3-2.

Dallas coach Lindy Ruff has twice turned to Antti Niemi in these playoffs, so there was some reason to wonder if he’d do the same after Lehtonen allowed three goals on just 21 shots in Saturday’s 4-1 loss. The Stars have gone back-and-forth between the two veteran netminders all season.

Lehtonen, however, has been the superior goalie in the postseason. His .901 save percentage isn’t great, but it beats Niemi’s .872 mark.

Related: If the Stars don’t get some better goaltending, their GM will have some explaining to do