Wild notes: Carter admits he likely deserved incitement penalty

FRISCO, Texas – Left winger Ryan Carter's 10-minute misconduct for "incitement" in Game 2 sounds warranted. He admits he intentionally nudged goalie Kari Lehtonen because he figured "now's my chance" because he thought the referees wouldn't be looking at him while they escorted teammate Jarret Stoll to the penalty box in the second period.

"They were," Carter said, laughing. "I'm good at taking penalties nobody's ever heard of before. I always get the good ones."

Last season against Winnipeg, Carter got an interference penalty for playing the puck with one foot still in the penalty box after serving a penalty. He didn't know that wasn't allowed.

"If I would have jumped out and crushed the guy, it would have been legal," he said, laughing.

Carter is the closest thing the Wild has to an agitator, so naturally, he was asked about Dallas' Antoine Roussel on Sunday. Roussel has been running amok against the Wild.

"I don't think he agitates that well," Carter said. "I think he works hard and that maybe frustrates guys. I think that's what he's good at. As far as being an agitator, I see him skating away and I don't see him engaging guys after whistles a lot unless they're sitting on the ground or something like that. But if somebody goes up and talks to him, he seems to just turn and skate the other way. … He just works hard."

Carter said the way to counteract Roussel is to execute.

Patrick Sharp is used to playoff hockey in Minnesota.

The veteran winger was part of Chicago Blackhawks teams that ousted the Wild each of the past three seasons. He'll return to Xcel Energy Center this time as a member of the Stars.

"This is my fourth time against them in the playoffs now and their building is one of the most exciting places to play," Sharp said. "The crowd is awesome, the ice is great. Really fun place to play in the playoffs."

Sharp has had his share of success in Minnesota. In seven playoff games in Xcel Energy Center, four of them wins, Sharp has five points (three goals, two assists). Between regular-season and playoff games Sharp has played Minnesota 35 times since the start of the 2012-13 season, the most of any individual player in the NHL.

There's a chance rookie Mike Reilly makes his NHL playoff debut Monday. The defenseman was recalled from AHL Iowa after playing five games.

Reilly's right eyelid is black and blue. "I got cross-checked from behind and then [Kurtis] Gabriel came in and got the guy pretty good for me," he said. "I maybe owe him dinner. I think it looks pretty good."

• After being a healthy scratch in Game 2 Mattias Janmark will re-enter the lineup for Game 3, Ruff said.

Janmark was a late scratch in Game 2 when Tyler Seguin returned to the lineup.

Ruff did not say which player would come out of the lineup, and said he has a tough decision to make.

• The Wild will host pregame parties in front of Xcel Energy Center before Games 3 and 4. Monday's runs 4:30-7 p.m. and Wednesday's 5-8 p.m.