The Stars look to duplicate their 2020 run and more. The Wild look to escape Round 1 for a change.
The big story here is the point total differences between the two teams and, ultimately, the Goals For. The Stars have five players who surpassed the 70-point mark, including a defenseman in Heiskanen. Having several players throughout your lineup who have put up point totals as they have is a good sign of things to come. After propelling themselves into a six-game streak to end the season, the morale in Texas is high.
Veteran Joe Pavelski will be heavily relied upon in disrupting plays and finding the scoresheet. The 38-year-old nearly surpassed the 50-assist mark for a second straight season. Pavelski was also a vital member of the 2019-20 Stars team that went to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hintz and newly acquired Max Domi will also play pivotal roles for the Stars this series, while Tyler Seguin will look to continue his groove into the playoffs.
The Wild added Klingberg, who has notched nine points in 17 games and has seemed to re-find his game after struggles in Anaheim. The Wild, however, can depend upon captain Jared Spurgeon, who is a significant factor on the defense and why the Wild could hold such a low high danger chances against percentage. Spurgeon blocked 2.27 shots per game, leading the Wild, but right behind him was Jonas Brodin at 2.17, Jacob Middleton at 1.96, Matt Dumba at 1.47, Jon Merrill at 1.
Conversely, the Stars will rely upon the young prodigy Jake Oettinger to do the job. In 62 games this season, the American netminder put up a 37-11-11 record with a 2.37 GAA, a .919 save percentage, and five shutouts. He almost singlehandedly carried Dallas the Calgary Flames in Round 1 of the playoffs last year.The Stars, fortunately, are good on the injury front; they just got Marchment back into the lineup, and he has looked solid on a line with Seguin and Domi.
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