Regardless of what transpires Saturday, the Wild seems ready to take a break from hockey.
But with just one more game to go before that four-day hiatus for the holiday, the team isn't looking past this final test against the Stars at Xcel Energy Center.
"We just need to win," goalie Devan Dubnyk said. "That certainly helps. Everybody in here is 100 percent focused on getting this win and getting a good feeling going into the break."
The Wild has lost three straight, and nixing that slide could help the team regroup for a push that continues next week against Central Division opponents.
So far, the Wild is 6-3 against its rivals.
"The division games are always important as far as playoffs go, and I'm sure they're looking for a little redemption," said Dubnyk, who posted 33 saves in the 3-1 win over Dallas Oct.19. "We took one in their building, so we gotta make sure we're ready for them and most importantly we want to get a win here before the break."
Winger J.T. Brown is poised to get back into the Wild's lineup after sitting out the past two games, replacing Joel Eriksson Ek.
"He's got everything going for him, but we gotta get a little more play-making and offense from him," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He plays 14 minutes a night, and it's just something in his development he's gotta get a little more offense to his game."
