Stars’ Scott Wedgewood to start in net vs. Panthers; Denis Gurianov nearing return

Stars goaltender Scott Wedgewood will start against the Panthers on Thursday night, his first start since Nov. 8 in Winnipeg.

Wedgewood made four straight starts while Jake Oettinger was sidelined with a lower-body injury, but has not played since Oettinger returned Friday.

“We’re going to use both goalies,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “Otter’s coming off an injury, wanted to get him a couple of starts. He’s gotten three out of four points and we’ve got a big homestand coming. Wedgie’s played really well for us.”

Wedgewood enters Thursday with a 3-3-1 record to go with a .903 save percentage and 3.21 goals against average.

Gurianov closer: Stars forward Denis Gurianov will not play Thursday, as the forward lines remain the same. He has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, but has traveled with the team and participated in every practice and morning skate this trip.

“I would say he’s very close,” DeBoer said. “I think if he had to play tonight, he could. But if we’re healthy, we don’t have to rush him.”

Gurianov could also come in next game should the Stars feel the need to pull Matěj Blümel from the lineup. Blümel has played in Gurianov’s spot on the second line with Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin.

Blümel scored his first career goal in Philadelphia, but had just one shot in 11:44 in Tampa on Tuesday.

“I thought last game was probably his poorest of the three [games], although our group, I didn’t think, was as good either,” DeBoer said. “I’m looking for a little bit of a bounceback from everybody here tonight. We got a point in Tampa, but I didn’t love our game, individually or collectively.”

Dellandrea OK: Stars forward Ty Dellandrea will play against the Panthers, one game after blocking a Steven Stamkos slap shot in Tampa on Tuesday. Dellandrea temporarily left the game but returned to play four more shifts in the third period.

Dellandrea said X-rays were negative on his ankle. He will now wear shot-blockers on his skates to combat getting injured.

“Tough guy, he’s all grit, all character,” DeBoer said. “I think I talk to him about wearing shot blockers on his skates. If he’s going to do this for a living and throw himself in front of pucks like he does, that’s got to become part of his equipment. Otherwise, you’re going to be out with broken feet for multiple weeks.”

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