Jeff Halpern needed a change.

The Stars' checking line center had hit a bump in the season, and coach Dave Tippett was aware of Halpern's struggles. So Tippett took Halpern off the checking line and dropped him on a wing with Mike Modano. In the three games heading into Monday's contest, Halpern had a goal and two assists.

"He and Mike work well together, and I like that line," Tippett said. "It's been good for Jeff to maybe get a change, and it's been good for Mike to get a little help. With Halpie, I think he was so focused on trying to shut down other lines that he forgot part of his offensive game. This gives him a little more balance, a little more opportunity."

Halpern said that playing beside Modano has been a nice change for him, especially since he's been a center for most of his NHL career.

"I've done it before, but not that much," Halpern said. "But playing wing with a guy like Mike is pretty easy. I think the attitude is a little different. You want to play with the puck as much as you can in their end, but with a guy like Mike you also have to be ready to go in transition at any time."

Tippett said he doesn't plan to change the line anytime soon, but added that Halpern can go back to center and be successful. Halpern said he simply likes the change.

"To me, it was nice just as a jolt," he said. "It's just a process of let's go keep up with him and see what we can do."

New sweaters: The Stars have worn the new RBK fabric on the front of their sweaters for the last two games. The RBK edge system, designed to repel water, uses a water-tight barrier inside the sweater.

However, players were overheating and sweating a lot. So RBK went back to the old material from last season's sweaters on the front of the jersey.

"It's night and day," Stars center Steve Ott said. "You just feel so much lighter, so much cooler. It's a huge improvement."

Turco sits: Marty Turco sat for consecutive games for the second time this season, but it was the first time he's done so while healthy.

Mike Smith has started in his place.

Turco has allowed 14 goals in his last three starts.

"I actually feel good," Turco said. "I'm not looking back. I'm just ready for my next one."

Stars add defenseman: The Stars swapped minor league defensemen with Tampa Bay on Monday, acquiring Bryce Lampman for Mario Scalzo. Lampman, 25, will report to the Iowa Stars, who have been short a defenseman since Scalzo left the team seeking a trade.

Lampman has played 10 NHL games with no points. In 16 games with Norfolk (AHL) this season, he has three goals and three assists.