Preview: Stars open two-game homestand vs. Wild

Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars

#

About the Stars

The Stars (29-19-4) snapped a two-game skid with a 4-1 win at Arizona on Thursday. The Stars shook off a lackluster first period in which they fell behind 1-0 and took control of the game with three unanswered goals in the second period.
"What gets said (in between periods) is locker room stuff," said Stars coach Ken Hitchcock. "The catalyst was we just started playing on our toes. We got going, and once we started playing on our toes we were excellent and carried it through the rest of the game."
Devin Shore tallied one goal and one assist and Kari Lehtonen stopped 17 of 18 shots in goal for the Stars hold the first wild-card spot in the West and are one point ahead of the Wild, who are now in the second wild-card spot.
Forward Antoine Roussel, who has missed the last two games with a nasal infection, practiced Friday. His status for Saturday will be a game-day decision.
Goaltender Ben Bishop, who was hit in the face with a puck while sitting on the bench during Thursday's game, is out for Saturday. Hitchcock said x-rays were negative and there was no concussion, but Bishop won't dress for the game.
Lehtonen will start in goal Saturday and Dallas will call up a goaltender from the AHL to serve as a backup.
Saturday's game begins a two-game homestand for the Stars.
Injuries:F Antoine Roussel (nasal infection) is questionable. G Ben Bishop (face), C Martin Hanzal (pulled muscle) and D Marc Methot (knee) are out.

About the Wild

The Wild (28-18-5) defeated Vegas, 5-2, Friday night in St. Paul. Eric Staal had two goals and one assist and Devan Dubnyk stopped 22 shots for the Wild, who won for the fourth time in the last five games.
"We were pretty happy with that. They're a good team, and we knew we had to bring our 'A' game," said Wild forward Charlie Coyle, who scored a goal. "We did that pretty much from start to finish, and we had good goaltending from [Dubnyk]. We keep playing that way we are going to be all set."
The Wild, who improved to 6-1-1 in their last eight games, moved past Colorado into the second wild-card spot in the West and are one point behind Dallas for the first wild-card spot.
Wild forward Nino Niederreiter returned to the lineup Friday after missing eight games with a lower-body injury.
Saturday's game is the first of a two-game road trip for the Wild.
Injuries:None

Season Series

Statistical Tidbits

This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.