The Dallas Stars are poised to take on the Minnesota Wild, aiming to secure another crucial win against a formidable divisional opponent. This matchup follows their recent triumph over the Colorado Avalanche, a victory that propelled them within striking distance of the Central Division's top spot. The Stars are focused on maintaining their intensity and achieving their divisional and league-wide goals, while the Wild face the challenge of competing without two of their key offensive players.
Dallas enters this contest with a strong record of 43-15-10, accumulating 96 points, placing them only two points behind the division leader. Their recent 2-1 shootout win against the Avalanche on Wednesday showcased their resilience and determination. Goaltender Jake Oettinger, a Minnesota native, is expected to start for the Stars, boasting an impressive season record of 29-10-5 with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Oettinger has historically performed well against the Wild, holding an 8-1-3 record with a 2.26 GAA and a .924 save percentage in 14 career games.
Conversely, the Minnesota Wild, with a record of 39-19-12 and 90 points, currently sit in third place within the division. They are coming off a 2-1 home loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, marking their third regulation defeat in their last four outings. The Wild's challenge is further compounded by the absence of their leading scorer, Kirill Kaprizov, who has 80 points (38 goals, 42 assists) in 69 games, and Joel Eriksson Ek, both sidelined with lower-body injuries. Despite these setbacks, Wild captain Jared Spurgeon expressed confidence in his team's depth, believing other players can step up to fill the void.
Wild forward Nico Sturm downplayed the significance of their recent slump, suggesting that teams lower in the standings can often be more challenging opponents. He emphasized the team's desire to be a top contender and their commitment to playing at their best. The Wild's goaltending decision remains open, with Filip Gustavsson (25-11-6, 2.52 GAA, .911 SV%) and Jesper Wallstedt (14-8-6, 2.75 GAA, .913 SV%) as potential starters. Gustavsson has a solid record against Dallas (6-4-0, 2.01 GAA, .934 SV%), while Wallstedt has had a tougher outing in his sole career appearance against the Stars.
This upcoming game promises to be a compelling divisional clash, with the Stars aiming to solidify their position at the top and the Wild striving to overcome key injuries and reverse their recent fortunes. Both teams will be eager to demonstrate their strengths and secure a vital victory in the competitive Central Division.