StarPoints For 2/2 vs Minnesota

1.)  Tonight’s matchup in the third of the season between Dallas and Minnesota, and the second at American Airlines Center. The Stars lost 3-2 at Minnesota on Nov. 7, and beat the Wild 4-3 at home on Jan. 18. Dallas is 13-2-2 at home against Minnesota since the Wild’s inaugural season in 2000-01, having won 11 in a row and earning points in 14 straight at American Airlines Center.
 
2.)  The Stars’ top line of Brad Richards, Loui Eriksson and James Neal has combined for nine points in the two games so far in the season series – and Neal missed one of those with an injury. Eriksson scored two goals in the first matchup, and added a goal and an assist in the second game. The Swede also had a pair of three-point games against Minnesota last season. Richards had three assists in the game on Jan. 18, and was the game’s first star.

3.)  Matt Niskanen has scored four of his 15 career goals against Minnesota, including one on Jan. 18, a night when he also notched his ninth assist of the season. Niskanen’s six career points against Minnesota are tied with Phoenix as a personal best for the 23-year-old defenseman..
 
4.)  Minnesota center Mikko Koivu leads the team with 33 assists and 49 points, and is tied for the team lead with 16 goals. Minnesota right wing Owen Nolan and left wing Andrew Brunette are tied for the team lead with 32 career points against the Stars. Nolan, playing in his 18th NHL season, has skated in 58 career games against the Stars. Brunette is in his 14th year, having skated in 38 career games against the Stars.
 
5.)  Minnesota started the season 1-6, and didn’t win a game in regulation until its 13th game of the season on Oct. 30. Since then, the Wild has battled back to within one point of the Stars and four points of eighth place. Before losing 5-2 to San Jose on Saturday, Minnesota rattled off three straight wins, including a 1-0 shutout win at Colorado.