Stars' Niemi will start opener vs. Penguins

The Dallas Stars are turning to their new goaltending acquisition for the season opener Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Antti Niemi will start and make his regular-season debut with the Stars, according to Mark Stepneski of the Stars' official website.

Kari Lehtonen will serve as the backup Thursday. He played 65 games for the Stars last season but struggled in training camp, posting a 4.57 goals-against average and .821 save percentage in four exhibition contests.

Niemi's rights were acquired by the Stars in a draft-day trade with the San Jose Sharks in June, and Dallas signed the goaltender to a three-year contract two days later.

He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.