Goligoski back in Dallas lineup after ‘slap’ of being a healthy scratch

The Dallas Stars have confirmed that defenseman Alex Goligoski will be back in the lineup Friday against Anaheim after sitting out Wednesday’s game against Edmonton as a healthy scratch.

“We’re just looking for him to regain some of the pep in his step and the pep in his game,” Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan told Stars Inside Edge. “We want him to help us on the power play. We want him to take charge out there, which he is capable of doing.”

Sounds as though Goligoski will be paired up with rookie blueliner Jamie Oleksiak, and Philip Larsen will return to the press box.

Goligoski is Dallas’ highest-paid defenseman and was leading all skaters in time on ice prior to Wednesday’s demotion, and said news of being a healthy scratch stunned him.

“Initially it was a slap, then you cool down a little bit and realize some things and take positives out of it,” said Goligoski. “There’s definitely another level of my game that I really haven’t gotten to yet.

“I’ve just got to keep working out there, find it and just go play.”