FRISCO – Dallas Stars second-year defenseman Matt Niskanen has embraced his opportunity.

Niskanen has been asked to shoulder more of the load because of injuries to key defensemen Sergei Zubov, Stephane Robidas and Trevor Daley.

The 22-year-old has been solid. He leads all Stars defensemen with 27 assists and 33 points.

"I have been logging more minutes and playing in some more important situations, so it's been kind of fun for me in that way," Niskanen said Friday. "I'm getting more responsibility, and I've tried to take advantage of my opportunity."

The Stars' injury woes have given Niskanen the perfect chance to prove his worth and possibly secure his roster spot for years to come. Niskanen will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2010. He's in the second year of a three-year rookie contract and is set to make $850,000 next season.

"He's a guy we've relied on," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "He's playing in a position where we need him to be a good player for us to be successful, and for the most part he's done a pretty good job. He's a guy who moves the puck very well, and he can find opportunities on the power play."

JOHN F. RHODES / DMN

Dallas Stars defenseman Matt Niskanen leads all Stars defensemen with 27 assists and 33 points.

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Stars center Mike Ribeiro said Niskanen has impressed him.

"He's more relaxed with the puck and making better decisions. He has had better positioning on the ice and making the play that you have to make to get it out of our zone," Ribeiro said. "He's having a chance to run the first power play now and create plays. That will be good for his confidence."

Turco doubtful: Goalie Marty Turco is doubtful for tonight's home finale against St. Louis because of an undisclosed lower-body injury. Turco, who has played a league-high 4,263 minutes, is listed as day-to-day.

The Stars recalled goalie Matt Climie on Friday from Idaho of the ECHL under emergency conditions and assigned defenseman Dan Jancevski to Hamilton of the AHL. If Turco can't go, Tippett will have to choose between starting the 26-year-old Climie or backup goalie Tobias Stephan, who struggled Monday, allowing six goals on 33 shots in a loss at Phoenix.

Tippett said Turco would be re-evaluated this morning.

Briefly: Injured Stars defensemen Trevor Daley and Mark Fistric and center Brian Sutherby practiced and could return tonight. Sutherby practiced on a line with Landon Wilson and Mark Parrish. ... Injured captain Brenden Morrow skated before practice, but he's not likely to play in any of the team's last four games. ... The Stars announced that they have signed left wing Luke Gazdic to a three-year entry-level contract.