The Minnesota Wild had been turning things around of late, winning their last two games and pulling within three points of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. (To think, Minnesota was one of the best teams in the NHL just a few months ago, but alas, they're now running after a No. 8 seed.) They had a chance to gain some ground by taking on the current No. 8 seed Dallas Stars on Friday night, but unfortunately, they fell as hard as they did from the standings.
Dallas scored three times, twice in the first and once in the second period, before Minnesota could light the lamp. By then, it was too late and the Stars had a firm grasp on an extra two points to distance themselves from the Wild in the playoff standings.
Devin Setoguchi scored the lone goal for the Wild, his 15th of the season. Matt Hackett, who was recently called up and was considered to start in net, relieved Niklas Backstrom of his duties after Backstrom allowed three goals on 14 shots; Hackett stopped all 10 shots he faced.
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