Feb 8, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) prepares to face the Anaheim Ducks at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Ducks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the regular season over, it’s time for players around the league to be evaluated for their effectiveness and their value to a team. We’ll be doing the same thing throughout the month of May, and we’d love to hear your opinions on our grading.

We’ll travel through the team in numerical order this year and we’ll hit every individual that was on the roster as of Saturday April 27; the official end of the Stars season.

Kari Lehtonen

Perhaps the most well-known name on the Dallas Stars roster is Kari Lehtonen. The 29-year-old Finn has taken up residence between the pipes in Dallas for four years, and has made a name for himself with his dazzling saves.

At 19-years-old, Lehtonen was selected second overall in the 2002 draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. In his five years with the Thrashers, he claimed nearly 100 wins; a record he’ll likely break with another season in Dallas. In 2010, Dallas took a serious gamble when the organization traded defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a fourth round draft pick for the then severely injury prone Lehtonen. But joining the Stars roster has proven to be invaluable for both parties.

Despite struggling with his fair share of injuries last season, Lehtonen posted some of the best statistics of his NHL career, including a .922 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average. In 59 games between the pipes, he closed 32 wins and spent almost 3,500 minutes in net.

This season took a dip for Lehtonen, however, as it did for much of the Stars roster, and he barely ended the season on a high note with 15 wins and 14 losses. He ended the season just shy of his save percentage from last season, and likely could have matched it had the season gone the distance. He struggled significantly in goals allowed against though, ending the season at 2.66. But more than highlighting Lentonen’s struggles, it highlighted the struggles the Stars faced on defense.

His incredible talent and overwhelming determination make Lehtonen one of the biggest assets on the Stars roster, and even in a down season, Lehtonen plays with an intensity and passion that makes it hard to assess his season on numbers alone. For that reason, and because he has long been the backbone of the Stars, I give Kari Lehtonen a B for the 2012-2013 season.

Goals Allowed: B

Save Percentage: C

Win/Loss: B

On-ice presence and performance: A

Apr 25, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center R.J. Umberger (18) celebrates his goal against Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blue Jackets defeated the Stars 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

the Dallas Stars have failed to make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

It couldn’t have been a worse start for Dallas, as Columbus got on the scoreboard with just 19 seconds on the clock. Cam Atkinson took advantage of some poor defending and slammed home a rebound from close range.

In a period that seriously lacked any offense for the Stars, Eric Nystrom provided the only bright spark as he and Dalton Prout dropped the gloves in an impressive tilt midway through the frame.

Despite a late period surge form Dallas, the first period finished with the Blue Jackets leading 1-0. Columbus also lead in shots 13-9, with Kari Lehtonen playing well to keep the Stars within a goal.

Both teams exchanged decent chances early in the second, but both goaltenders stood strong.

The Stars went on the powerplay midway through the period and took advantage of having the extra man on ice when Jamie Benn tallyied his 12th of the season. He received a lovely pass from Erik Cole, and comfortably scored past Bobrovsky.

The second frame was a physical one, with both teams throwing big hits as well as a second fight of the game, this time between Lane Macdermid and Jared Boll. Dallas lead the shots 15-10 but the score was nicely poised at 1-1 heading into the final period.

Both teams knew scoring the first goal in that final frame would be a massive advantage. It was Columbus who did just that, with Mark Letestu firing an impressive slapshot past Kari Lehtonen on the powerplay.

With just under two minutes left in the game, the Blue Jackets sealed the two points when Cam Atkinson bagged his second goal of the night in similar fashion to his first.

It is obviously disappointing that playoff hockey will not be coming to Dallas again this season. However, seeing as the Stars lost a lot of their offense at the trade deadline, credit has to be given to Dallas for keeping even the most unlikely playoff chances alive until the penultimate game of the season. This young group has a lot of passion and desire, so hopefully a better 2013/14 campaign looms.

The final game of the season for Dallas is on Saturday night when they host the Detroit Red Wings. With a victory, the Stars could prevent their rivals from making the post season.