The players in tonight who are thought to be battling for spots on the fourth line are Devin Shore, Jason Dickinson, Remi Elie, Gemel Smith, and Brett Ritchie. Also playing tonight in Denver are guys who are trying to crack the roster like Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov.

"We've got a lot of guys battling for positions, so this is a good opportunity," said Stars coach Jim Montgomery. "Tough travel going into mile high (altitude). We're going to see who can be mentally tough and make plays for us, people we can count on."

With roster decisions looming, players who are battling for spots and ice time will get a good look tonight when the Dallas Stars play their fifth preseason game, taking on the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center in Denver.

[HONKA TIME: The young defenseman is getting a chance to prove himself in preseason play]

Hintz, who had a strong showing in Monday's preseason win over Minnesota while playing with Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov, will center the top line again but this time he'll have Shore and Valeri Nichushkin on his wings.

"I saw a guy that is getting more comfortable and is using his assets, and he built speed really well," Montgomery said of Hintz. "He's a player that needs to use his speed. If he is not using his speed, he loses his ability to impact the game."

Dickinson will center Gurianov and Tyler Pitlick. Smith will be in the middle with Elie and Smith on his wings. The fourth line will be made up of Michael Mersch, Justin Dowling, and Erik Condra, all of whom have played well and could be high on the list of possible call-ups.

Video: Hintz: 'I just try to do my best every night'

It's a young group on defense. Gavin Bayreuther, who has played well in the preseason, will skate with veteran Roman Polak on the top pair. Joel Hanley-Julius Honka and John Nyberg-Reece Scarlett are the other pairs.

Ben Bishop will get the start in goal and is expected to play the full game.

Montgomery said center Tyler Seguin, who has not played since the preseason opener due to a minor injury issue, is expected to play the final two preseason games.

On defenseman Stephen Johns, who has yet to play in the preseason game due to an injury, the hope is to get him into Sunday's preseason finale.

"It's too early to tell if he'll be able to," Montgomery said. "That's what we're hoping."

Tonight's game will be the first of two preseason meetings between the Stars (3-0-1) and Avalanche (1-2-0). The two teams play again Sunday in Dallas in the final exhibition game for both teams.

Tonight's game

Who: Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche

Where: Pepsi Center

When: 8 p.m.

Local TV/Radio: None

Stars projected lineup

Devin Shore - Roope Hintz - Valeri Nichushkin

Denis Gurianov - Jason Dickinson - Tyler Pitlick

Remi Elie - Gemel Smith - Brett Ritchie

Michael Mersch - Justin Dowling - Erik Condra

Gavin Bayreuther - Roman Polak

Joel Hanley - Julius Honka

John Nyberg - Reece Scarlett

Ben Bishop

Landon Bow

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Mark Stepneski has covered the Stars for DallasStars.com since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.