The Dallas Stars are still looking for their first win of 2024 against an injured Minnesota Wild team.
These two teams have built up a volatile rivalry over the years, but especially after last year's first round playoff series where the Stars defeated the Wild.
With both teams facing injuries to some of their biggest players, both teams will want to focus on coming out of this game healthy. The Stars are 0-2-1 in their last three games following a massive 8-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on New Years Eve. The Minnesota Wild are also having a rough start to the year at 1-2-0.
The last time these teams matched up, the Stars left with a win but they lost Thomas Harley for a few games after a hit from Brandon Duhaime. Duhaime was given a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.
What to watch for:
- Matt Murray makes his season debut as he slots in to give Scott Wedgewood a break. In 13 games played this year in the AHL, Murray holds a 2.86 goals-against average and a .908% save percentage. Murray started three games for the Stars last season, only tallying one win and recording a .844% save percentage.
- Tyler Seguin has 47 points in 42 games in his career against the Wild with 18 goals and 29 assists. Along with Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment, Seguin's line has 21 points over their last five games.
- Miro Heiskanen is still out, and Thomas Harley will absorb a majority of his minutes. He finished last game with 24:23 of time on ice. The Stars attempted to run a five forward power play unit and after a couple failed attempts, they moved Harley to quarterback the unit, where they scored in four seconds on a Harley shot from the point, tipped in by Jamie Benn.
- Minnesota has been hit with the injury bug as of late. Marcus Foligno will return to the lineup, but the Wild are still missing forward Kirill Kaprizov, defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson.
Projected lines:
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Duchene-Seguin
Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
Steel-Faksa-Smith
Suter-Lundkvist
Lindell-Hakanpaa
Harley-Hanley
Murray
Wedgewood
It is unconfirmed whether Ty Dellandrea will slot in for Radek Faksa tonight.
The defensive pairings will likely carousel throughout the game again to spread out Heiskanen's missing minutes. Nils Lundkvist has another opportunity to prove himself with the extra ice time.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CST and can be seen on Bally Sports Southwest.
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