from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News,

The Stars used both goalies for the 14th time this season Thursday in a 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.

It's one of the reasons the team will be among the bottom three NHL teams in goals against and save percentage. It's one of the reasons Dallas will miss the playoffs. It's something that likely can't continue.

Yes, Kari Lehtonen is under contract next season for a salary cap hit of $5.9 million. Yes, Antti Niemi is under contract next season for a salary cap hit of $4.5 million. Yes, the two combined make more than any goaltending combination in the league.

And yes, it will be difficult to get out from either or both contracts, but the Stars will have to find a way.

"We'll assess everything, including the goaltending, when the season is over," Stars general manager Jim Nill said before Thursday's game. "We have to look at everything from their play to the play in front of them, and we have to get better in a lot of areas."

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