The Wraparound: Dallas Stars Improvements Before Playoffs The Christmas break has ended and the Dallas Stars begin the long march through the second half of the season at home against the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/]. The Stars went into Christmas on a high note, beating the Utah Hockey Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/] on a one-game road trip after going a disappointing 3-3 at home during a six-game home-stand. That included losing two inexcusable games to Nashville, who are at the bottom of the league standings, and the plummeting New York Rangers. Before the game against Utah, the Stars were suddenly sitting outside of a playoff spot for the first time all season. Being one game out of a playoff spot may not be a cause for concern in December, but this team is looked at as a contender and has not even been close to that reality leading up to the recent middling stretch, so it really should put the team on high alert moving forward. Being average is not good enough in this division, especially with the list of other competitive teams currently ahead of them. One of those teams is Minnesota, who started off hot and have kept it up pretty steadily, and currently sit second in the division behind the league best Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/]. The Wild are coming off a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but before that had lost four games in a row, including a 5-0 shutout at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets. The two teams met in November in a 2-1 win for the Stars. In that game, Mason Marchment scored both goals for the Stars - one at the end of the first period and the other halfway through the third period to give the Stars an insurance goal down the stretch. Shortly after, Kirill Kaprizov brought the Wild within one but the Stars held on for the victory. Brendan Smith and Matt Dumba both fought in the game, but neither are playing in Friday's game. WHAT TO WATCH FOR: * undefined * undefined * undefined Ahead of morning skate, Lian Bichsel was called back up to slot in for Matt Dumba, who still remains on the injured reserve. Dumba has been skating with a bubble helmet on but there has not been a timeline released regarding his return. Projected Lineup: Robertson-Hintz-Borque Marchment-Duchene-Dadonov Benn-Johnston-Stankoven Steel-Back-Blackwell Harley-Heiskanen Lindell-Lyubushkin Bischel-Lundkvist Oettinger DeSmith Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CDT and can be seen on Victory+ and ESPN+ 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. First Day Breakdown of WJC Performances from Dallas Stars Prospects Aram Minnetian, Emil Hemming [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/players/first-day-breakdown-of-wjc-performances-from-dallas-stars-prospects-aram-minnetian-emil-hemming] Oettinger Chased, Stars Lose Eighth Straight to Maple Leafs Wednesday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/game-day/oettinger-chased-stars-lose-8th-straight-to-maple-leafs-wednesday] Stars Look to Snap Horrid Home Losing Streak to Maple Leafs Monday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/latest-news/stars-look-to-snap-horrid-home-losing-streak-to-maple-leafs-monday] Stars Forward Matt Duchene Describes How Messy Exit From Nashville Fueled Breakout Start This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/players/stars-forward-matt-duchene-describes-how-messy-exit-from-nashville-fuelled-breakout-start-this-season] * undefined