"Continue to build, continue to get better," Montgomery said. "Improve upon our puck pressure and our puck possession."

The Dallas Stars will play the fourth of their seven preseason games when they take on the Minnesota Wild at the American Airlines Center tonight. Stars coach Jim Montgomery's message for the game is simple:

[THIS IS TEXAS HOCKEY: Click here to view seats for tonight's game at American Airlines Center]

The Stars, who are 2-0-1 in preseason play, will go with a pretty strong lineup tonight against the Wild. Montgomery will run what could be the team's second line to start the season. Jason Spezza will center Mattias Janmark and Valeri Nichushkin.

"I really like the way they read off each other," Montgomery said. "In practice the other day, we were doing a forecheck drill, and they created so many turnovers. You've got a lot of speed, you've got a lot of hockey sense, and you've got people who are top of pucks with second and third efforts."

Tonight's third line is a possibility to start the season as well with Radek Faksa at center and Blake Comeau at left wing and Tyler Pitlick on the right.

Two-thirds of the top line -- Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov -- will suit up tonight. But with Tyler Seguin not ready to play due to a minor injury issue, Roope Hintz will get a shot at centering the top forward trio. The Stars want to give Hintz, who is battling for a spot on the roster, a look in an offensive role and see how he plays with guys like Benn and Radulov.

"It's good to go play with them," the 21-year-old Hintz said. "Just go play normal and have fun. I have really good linemates, so have a good game."

Video: Hintz ready to prove himself with test on top line

As for Seguin, he has practiced the past three days, including Monday during morning skate at the American Airlines Center.

Denis Gurianov and Michael Mersch will be the wings on the fourth line with Jason Dickinson at center for tonight's game.

The Stars will play four of their six top defenseman with Esa Lindell and John Klingberg as the top pair and Marc Methot and Miro Heiskanen as the second pair. Heiskanen, a left-handed shot, will get another look playing the right side.

Dillon Heatherington and Joel Hanley will be the third pair.

Anton Khudobin is expected to play the entire game in goal with Landon Bow as the backup.

The Stars rolled out a top power-play unit of Benn, Radulov, Spezza, Klingberg, and Heiskanen during Monday morning's skate at the AAC. Janmark, Nichushkin, Gurianov, Lindell, and Hanley practiced as the second unit.

Devan Dubnyk is the expected goaltender tonight for the Wild, who will not be playing their top two lines or top-four defensemen. Minnesota is 1-3-0 in the preseason.

Tonight's game

Who: Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars

Where: American Airlines Center

When: 7:30 p.m.

Local TV/Radio: None

Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn - Roope Hintz - Alexander Radulov

Mattias Janmark - Jason Spezza - Valeri Nichushkin

Blake Comeau - Radek Faksa - Tyler Pitlick

Denis Gurianov - Jason Dickinson - Michael Mersch

Esa Lindell - John Klingberg

Marc Methot - Miro Heiskanen

Dillon Heatherington - Joel Hanley

Anton Khudobin

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.