The Minnesota Wild (12-9-2) will be looking to extend their winning streak when they are on the road to take on the Dallas Stars (14-6-4) at American Airlines Center on Sunday. Minnesota is embarking on a four-game road trip with the second of a back-to-back after earning a high-scoring 5-4 shootout win over the Ducks yesterday, their third win in a row.
The Wild committed four penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Four players found the net for the Wild. Calen Addison and Joel Eriksson Ek both scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring. Filip Gustavsson only saved 29 of 33 shots (.878%) in the win. Dallas beat the Ducks 5-0 on Thursday.
Jason Robertson was the leading goal scorer for the Stars, netting a hat trick. Jake Oettinger had a dominant performance with 31 saves to earn his second shutout of the season, third-most in the league.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their four meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 (OT) victory for the Wild in April. Kevin Fiala (2G 1A) and Frederick Gaudreau (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Minnesota. Robertson (2G 0A) and Roope Hintz (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Dallas. Marc-Andre Fleury got the win, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944%).
FACING OFF
Minnesota is averaging 3.04 goals per game for the season, 17th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Stars team that is allowing 2.71 goals a game (8th). Meanwhile, Dallas has found the net 3.88 times a game on average, second in the league, and the Wild are allowing opponents to score 2.96 goals per game (11th). Look for several power play opportunities for the Stars, as the Wild are averaging 4.87 penalties per game, fifth-most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 13.30 penalty minutes a game ranks first-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.75 times a game (6th) for an average of 12.25 minutes (4th). The Stars’ 30.00% power play percentage is the third-best in the league, while the Wild rank ninth with a conversion rate of 26.03%. Dallas has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 84.04%. Minnesota ranks 11th at 79.73%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 31 points this season, Kirill Kaprizov is the top skater for the Wild. He has 15 goals and 16 assists in 23 games. In the net, Fleury (8-5-1) is Minnesota’s top goaltender. He has a 2.92 GAA and a .898% save percentage.
Robertson leads the Stars in scoring with 39 points (2nd in the league). He has a league-best 22 goals and 17 assists () in 24 games. Oettinger (9-2-3) has the best goals against average for Dallas at 2.35. He has a save percentage of .923%.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 5-3-1 away from home this season. Dallas is 7-2-2 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Wild are 2-0 without a day off and 1-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Stars are 2-1 with a rest advantage.
