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Posted at 11:45 AM EST. 

OT included. Average, average, average. That’s how we described the Wild yesterday and that’s precisely how we’ll describe them again today. Minnesota mustered a mere 15 shots on net against the Jets yesterday. That was its third straight at home and this will be their fourth straight at home. Rarely are extended home stands beneficial. After practice, guys go home to be with family. On the road, they hang out after practice. Minnesota has been home for eight straight days and players probably can’t wait to hit the road again, which they will do after this game. The Wild have lost five of their past six. Their only win over that stretch occurred against Nashville in which they scored four goals on 27 shots on net against Pekka Rinne. Minnesota’s last victory prior to that was against Carolina in a game they were outshot in 39-21. The Wild will give the night off here to workhorse goaltender Devan Dubnyk in favor of Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper was almost solely responsible for getting Mike Yeo fired last year when he could not stop a puck and Minnesota could not win a game because of it. It would appear that Yeo is returning the favor here by throwing Kuemper in against Dallas. Boy, the timing of giving Dubnyk a night off is curious indeed.

Dallas is the only team in the NHL without consecutive losses this year. They didn’t lose last night so that doesn’t come into play but it’s a reflection of just how good they have been all year. The last time Darcy Kuemper faced the Stars was last season in early January. Dallas won that game, 7-1 and Keumper was yanked after allowing four goals on 17 shots. Getting yanked is something Kuemper is used to. What we know for sure is that Dallas is 4-1 against top-10 teams and 8-1 against top-16 teams. They have also scored 81 goals compared to 60 for Minnesota. Dallas has scored three goals or more in 10 of its last 11 games. When they do score three or more, its win expectation skyrockets. To think that the Stars will be held to two goals or less against Darcy Kuemper is unreasonable, therefore the Stars win expectation here is extremely high. Nuff said. 

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