Gameday preview: Wild at Dallas
7 p.m. at DALLAS • FSN, 107.9-FM
Preview: The Wild has won three in a row, and the Central Division-leading Stars have won seven of their past nine (35 goals scored). Dallas, 1-3-1 against Minnesota last season, is the league's best offensive team, scoring 3.65 goals per game with a power play clicking north of 30 percent. At one point, the Wild lost 16 in a row in Dallas. It has won two of its past three there.
Players to watch: Stars forwards Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn have combined for 20 goals and 47 points. Benn has seven goals and 15 points in 21 games vs. the Wild. Seguin has 10 points in 10 games vs. the Wild. John Klingberg leads all NHL defenseman with 17 points. … Wild LW Jason Zucker has 11 points in the past 10 games. LW Thomas Vanek has five goals and five assists in the past 10 games. RW Jason Pominville has no goals in 15 games, the second-longest goal drought of his career. W Brett Bulmer has been recalled from Iowa and will play on the Erik Haula-Chris Porter line.
Numbers: The Wild ranks sixth in the NHL with 3.07 goals per game. Its penalty kill ranks 24th at 75.8 percent. The Wild has eight goals and 36 points in 15 games from its defensemen.
Injuries: Wild LW Zach Parise (knee), D Marco Scandella (family matter), C Tyler Graovac (sports hernia) and RW Justin Fontaine (sprained MCL) are out. Stars LW Travis Moen (upper body) is out.
Michael Russo
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Dallas beat Minnesota for the seventh straight time, spoiling the Wild’s chance to show its success this season is valid.