The Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] aim to extend their franchise-record point streak to 14 games on Thursday when they take on a red-hot Minnesota Wild team. This will be the second meeting of the season between the two Western Conference rivals. Their first matchup came in Dallas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]’ third game of the year, when the Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]controlled play on home ice in a 5–2 victory. Dallas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]enters Thursday as one of the hottest teams in the league with 14 wins in its last 17 games and an impressive 1.94 goals against per game during that stretch. Minnesota has been just as strong with 13 wins in its last 18 games and a defensive performance that has limited opponents to 1.83 goals against per game. The Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]have dealt with a number of injuries, losing top six winger Tyler Seguin and defense prospect Lian Bichsel, while recently getting back top four defenseman Thomas Harley, top six winger Matt Duchene, and defenseman Nils Lundkvist. The Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]' improving blueline made Vladislav Kolyachonok a healthy scratch Tuesday, but the 24-year-old, who has three points and averages 12:42 of ice time in 10 games, will draw back into the lineup. Despite the constant changes to the lineup, Dallas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]continues to outpace much of the league. The Wild have faced similar adversity with Marco Rossi, Mats Zuccarello, and Jake Middleton out of the lineup, although those absences have not slowed Minnesota’s momentum. Minnesota will look to use its deep offensive group to pressure Jake Oettinger and generate more goals than expected. The Wild have difference makers throughout the lineup, starting with superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov and Vladimir Tarasenko on the top line, followed by Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek on a highly reliable second line. Their defense is equally strong with dependable blueliners on every pairing. Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin lead the way, Jared Spurgeon provides shutdown play on the second unit, and Zeev Buium often jumps into the rush or quarterbacks the power play from the third pairing. The Wild present a deep and balanced challenge for the Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]. The teams have traded wins in their last four matchups. Prior to that, Dallas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]held a seven-game winning streak in the series, and the Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]will look to regain that advantage when they meet again on Thursday Stars’ Wyatt Johnston Quietly Emerges As NHL’s Hottest Player, Potential Candidate For Team Canada [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/30dcaca3-ace1-4ee4-b3fd-c7913effad06.jpeg] Stars’ Wyatt Johnston Quietly Emerges As NHL’s Hottest Player, Potential Candidate For Team Canada Wyatt Johnston ignites the Stars' offense, outscoring league rivals. His scorching streak makes him a dark-horse Team Canada contender. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/players/stars-wyatt-johnston-quietly-emerges-as-nhl-s-hottest-player-potential-candidate-for-team-canada] Make Sure You Bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/]For The Latest News, Exclusive Interviews, Breakdowns, And So Much More. DALLAS STARS’ EXPECTED LINE COMBINATIONS VS. WINNIPEG (TUESDAY): Robertson - Hintz - Benn Duchene - Johnston - Rantanen Back - Hryckowian - Bourque Steel - Faksa - Blackwell Lindell - Heiskanen Harley - Petrovic Kolyachonok - Capobianco Oettinger Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7580a307-e387-4cc9-86ee-6eeb7a5cf1a7.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
