A look at the Wild-DALLAS series

The Wild and Stars clashed five times this season with the Stars mounting comebacks from one, two and three goals down in their three games at Xcel Energy Center. The teams have not met since Feb. 9, and the Wild's lone victory came in Dallas on Jan. 9. That game completed the first half of the season, the most successful in Wild history (52 points). The Wild then proceeded to go 1-11-2 in its next 14 games to cost coach Mike Yeo his job.

Wild's record vs. Stars: 23-27-11 (16-10-4 at Xcel Energy Center, 7-17-7 at American Airlines Center). Since 2003-04, the Wild is 4-15-6 (. 280) in Dallas, its worst record in any road arena.

Wild's record this season vs. Stars: 1-1-3, and Stars outscored Wild 18-13.

Playoff appearances: Wild's seventh in 15 years (fourth in a row, no championships); Stars' 31st in 48 seasons (includes when they were the North Stars, one championship).

This season

Nov. 14 at Dallas

Stars 3, Wild 2 (overtime)

The Wild twice rallied from one-goal deficits and forced overtime on Marco Scandella's third-period goal, but Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin assisted on John Klingberg's 3-on-3 overtime goal to cap a three-point night for the defenseman. Jason Zucker took the blame for the goal.

Nov. 28 at Minnesota

Stars 4, Wild 3 (overtime)

The Wild jumped to a 3-0 lead on goals by Thomas Vanek, Charlie Coyle and Jason Pominville, but the Stars stormed back with three third-period goals against Darcy Kuemper before Klingberg and Benn assisted on Seguin's overtime winner. Mikael Granlund's turnover led to the winner.

Dec. 21 at Minnesota

Stars 6, Wild 3

The Wild jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Jared Spurgeon and Coyle. But the Wild would give up the next four goals, including the tying and go-ahead goals by Vernon Fiddler and Seguin 59 seconds apart late in the second. The go-ahead goal came off a Spurgeon turnover on the day he signed a four-year, $20.75 million contract extension.

Jan. 9 at Dallas

Wild 2, Stars 1

Finally, the Wild held onto a lead and shut down the league's most prolific offense. Ryan Carter and Vanek scored second-period goals and Dubnyk made 34 saves, including 15 in the third period as the Wild was outshot 16-4.

Feb. 9 at Minnesota

Stars 4, Wild 3 (overtime)

The Wild blew two one-goal leads, fell behind by a goal but got a Mikko Koivu tying goal early in the third period to force overtime. But for the third time, the Wild fell in overtime to the Stars on a Benn-to-Klingberg winner after Vanek overextended his shift, turned the puck over and finally went for a line change.

MICHAEL RUSSO