Stars at Wild
THE STORY: The Dallas Stars look to continue their recent hot
streak when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Tuesday.
The Pacific-leading Stars have the NHL’s best record over the last 10
games (9-0-1). This is the fourth and final meeting as the Stars have
won the last two, and 20 of the last 26 encounters.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Stars), FS North, FS Wisconsin (Wild)
ABOUT THE STARS (38-26-5):
The Stars are on a 10-game point streak and have won five straight. The
last time Dallas earned points in 10 straight was a 12-game stretch
from Dec. 27, 2002 to Jan. 22, 2003. The Loui Eriksson-Mike
Ribeiro-Michael Ryder line has come alive in the last 30 days combining
for 43 points, the most of any trio in the league during that span.
Ribeiro has scored a point in eight of his last 10 games against
Minnesota and Ryder is riding a career-high nine-game point streak.
ABOUT THE WILD (29-30-10):
Minnesota has dropped five of six contests since the beginning of March
and is playing the second of a five-game homestand. The Wild are
without goaltenders Niklas Backstrom (strained groin) and Josh Harding
(lower body). Rookie Matt Hackett should make his second consecutive
start Tuesday. Captain Mikko Koivu (shoulder) and forward Pierre-Marc
Bouchard (concussion) are also out for Minnesota. Right Wing Cal
Clutterbuck was wearing a no-contact jersey at practice Monday after
missing the last three contests with an illness and will be a game-time
decision. The Wild are 2-7-1 in their last 10 home games.
OVERTIME:
1. Wild forward Dany Heatley has one goal and four points in three games vs the Stars.
2. Dallas recalled defenseman Jordie Benn on Monday from Texas of the American Hockey League.
3.
Koivu received a shaving cream pie to the face from his teammates at
Wild practice Monday in celebration of his 29th birthday.