"Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who has missed the last four games with a sore back, practiced Wednesday and there's a "strong possibility" he'll return for Thursday's game, coach Marc Crawford said.

Lehtonen, who was on the ice for about 45 mintues and then did some off-ice work, could be back in goal Thursday night when the Stars take on the San Jose Sharks at American Airlines Center.

"Kari looks like he is getting more and more ready to play," Crawford said Wednesday. "There is a strong possibility for tomorrow. If he's ready, he'll go. He was very positive today on his outing. ... He looked really good.""