Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Colin Blackwell each had a goal and an assist in the Dallas Stars’ 5-4 comeback win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
Dallas trailed 4-3 in the third period, until Thomas Harley’s point shot deflected off Rantanen’s skate and into Minnesota’s net at 4:28. Jason Robertson then put the Stars ahead at the 10:35 mark, converting a wrist shot for his 42nd goal of the season.
Thursday was a postseason preview, as the Stars (47-20-12, 106 points) and Wild (45-22-12, 102 points) will meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Stars hold a four-point lead on the Wild for second place in the Central Division, with three regular-season games remaining for each club.
Cameron Hughes scored his first career NHL goal, and Esa Lindell had two assists for the Stars.
Jake Oettinger stopped 27 of 31 shots to earn his 33rd win of the season.
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen left late in the first period after sustaining a lower-body injury, creating an unwelcome concern for Dallas as the postseason looms.
Filip Gustavsson stopped 15 of 20 shots for the Wild, whose four-game winning streak was snapped.
The Wild were 3-for-5 on the power play, on two goals from Kirill Kaprizov and a tally from Ryan Hartman. Quinn Hughes had an even-strength goal, plus an assist.
Mats Zuccarello had three assists, and Matt Boldy added two more.
Johnston’s 44th goal opened the scoring 4:26 into the first period. Quinn Hughes equalized for Minnesota at the 13:02 mark, ringing a shot off both goal posts.
Just 16 seconds before the first intermission, Boldy’s pass from the circle found Kaprizov in front during a Wild power play. Kaprizov struck again with the extra attacker 6:39 into the second period, depositing a Boldy rebound.
The multi-goal game was the 42nd of Kaprizov’s career, getting a new Wild franchise record.
Blackwell reduced the Stars’ deficit 8:03 into the second period, and Cameron Hughes scored the equalizer for his milestone goal at the 16:16 mark. Minnesota restored its lead on the power play, as Hartman found the net with only 11 seconds left before intermission.
