1. Isn't that special: After going 1-for-13 on the power play through the first three games of the series, Dallas went 2-for-2 in Game 4 with goals from Patrick Eaves and Jason Spezza.
And if the Stars' power play is clicking again in Game 5, as it was for much of this season when it ranked fourth in the NHL at 22.1 percent, it makes an already potent offense nearly lethal.
Minnesota has improved its penalty kill recently and needs to show similar form to mitigate the Dallas power play in Game 5.
"Even though we had two [penalties in Game 4], we can't give them [Dallas] two and if we do, we've got to kill it off," Wild interim coach John Torchetti said.
2. Divergent approaches:After losing 3-1 in Game 4 on Wednesday, Torchetti has made two changes to his forward lines for Game 5, plugging Jordan Schroeder in on the second line and Jarret Stoll in on the fourth line.
"I think that we're focused," Torchetti said. "I think the guys are prepared. We've got to find a way to get one win in this building and get back home."
Stars coach Lindy Ruff, on the other hand, likely will adopt the opposite approach, keeping his forward lines, defensive pairs and starting goaltender identical from Game 4.
Despite the 3-1 series lead, Ruff is not at ease with the Stars' advantage.
"In today's NHL, I don't know if you're ever comfortable," Ruff said. "[In] this league, the parity is so good, the coaching is so good."