Kari Lehtonen needed a night like Thursday.
Going into the game against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the starting goaltender for the struggling Dallas Stars was on pace to record his worst save percentage since joining the team in 2009-10.
But the 30-year-old Finn raised his level of play, making 27 saves and preserving a 2-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Kings.
Lehtonen’s second-period, leather-flashing dive across the crease to rob Jarret Stoll at the doorstep was something special. The play-by-play man called it “pure, unadulterated larceny” and immediately pushed it into the Save of the Year conversation:
“After a game like this, of course you feel great,” Lehtonen told the Dallas Morning News. “Every game is so different for goalies. I’ll be happy about this tonight and start preparing for Minnesota.”
All of this is a huge positive for Dallas, which has little trust in Lehtonen’s backup; Anders Lindback has posted an ugly .852 save percentage and 0-3-0 record.
Lehtonen’s show on Thursday should alleviate some concern Stars fans have that the goalie’s play is still hindered from the concussion he suffered in pre-season.
“To me, he looks like his old self,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “He’s more aggressive, he’s on his toes. Before, he looked on the nervous side, and I think now he’s playing.”