wild gameday

7 P.M. VS. DALLAS • XCEL ENERGY CENTER • NBCSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: The finale in NBC's Hockey Day in America. The Wild is 10-1-1 since the All-Star break and 12-2-2 since Jan. 15 to inch closer to a playoff spot. The Wild won its first three meetings against the Stars but lost 7-1 in Dallas on Jan. 3. The Wild has beaten Dallas four straight at home. The Stars, chasing the Wild, lost to Detroit 7-6 on Saturday night.

Players to watch: G Devan Dubnyk is expected to make his 17th consecutive start for Minnesota. He is coming off his fifth shutout in 16 starts, the fewest starts to five shutouts since 1938 (Eveleth's Frank Brimsek, nine starts with the Bruins). Dubnyk has a career-high 21 wins and six shutouts. LW Nino Niederreiter and RW Justin Fontaine each had three goals on the road trip, RW Jordan Schroeder three points. C Mikko Koivu has 10 points in the past nine games. Stars LW Jamie Benn entered Saturday's game 10th in the NHL with 56 points.

Numbers: The Wild is 30-for-30 on the penalty kill in 12 games since the All-Star break. The Wild has outscored opponents 22-6 in the 16 first periods since Dubnyk's arrival. The Wild has scored first in 11 of the past 12 games.

Injuries: Wild D Jared Spurgeon (head) is questionable. LW Jason Zucker (collarbone), LW Ryan Carter (upper body), LW Matt Cooke (sports hernia) and D Keith Ballard (concussion) are out. Stars C Tyler Seguin (knee), LW Travis Moen (lower body), RW Patrick Eaves (concussion) and RW Valeri Nichushkin (groin) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO