Preview: Since Round 3 of the 2003 playoffs, the Wild has fallen into an 0-2 hole seven times. It has lost five of the previous six series. In 2014, the Wild rallied from 0-2 and 2-3 series deficits to beat Colorado in the first round. The problem here is each team's trajectory – the Stars have won 11 of their past 13 games and the Wild has lost seven consecutive games since beating Chicago on March 29, with seven goals scored and a minus-15 goal differential.
Players to watch: Stars LW Jamie Benn has registered at least one point in seven of his eight career playoff games (six goals, nine points). He has a 10-game point streak against the Wild dating to the 2014-15 regular season (17 points). G Kari Lehtonen is 8-1 since March 17. Wild C Mikko Koivu has two goals and nine assists in 30 playoff games since 2013. LW Jason Zucker has two goals and three assists in his past 33 games. C Charlie Coyle has no goals and 26 shots in the past 20 games.
Numbers: The Wild is 15-20-2 without LW Zach Parise in the lineup, 5-8-1 this season. … The Wild is 33-8-5 when scoring the first goal this season, 5-27-6 when allowing the first goal. … The Wild's power play is 1-for-23 the past eight games. … The Wild has been outshot 28-9 in the first period this series.
Injuries: The Wild's Parise (back) and LW Thomas Vanek (upper body) are out. Stars RW Brett Ritchie (lower body) is doubtful.
