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Dallas Stars: What To Look For In Tonight’s Game Against Wild

By Katelin Brekken

Jan 24, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Cody Eakin (20) and Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund (64) chase the puck during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Wild defeat the Stars 3-2 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Cody Eakin (20) and Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund (64) chase the puck during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Wild defeat the Stars 3-2 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff seeks to “keep creating hope” for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Will he be able to make it happen?

Hoping to shake off Saturday’s loss to the Predators, the Dallas Stars challenged the Winnipeg Jets (26-29-4) on Tuesday seeking redemption, only to walk away empty-handed.

It seems that a poorly played third period has become an unfortunate trend for the Stars this season. 

The score sat at 2-2 heading into the second intermission, which sent both teams into desperation mode. The third period became a 20-minute hockey game, the winner would be whoever pulled together enough energy to finish the other off.

Winnipeg came into Tuesday with a four-game losing streak, which is not ideal for any team. Their drive for a victory in the third period was rewarded as they created a three-goal lead.

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Dallas fell to Winnipeg 5-2.

Here’s a little extra commentary about Winnipeg vs Dallas.

This was the sixth loss in the past seven games for Dallas. Thursday, they travel to the Xcel Energy Center to take on the Minnesota Wild (37-13-6) for their fifth and last meeting of the season.

The Stars are 1-2-1 in the series. Dallas has put up valiant efforts against Minnesota this season, so expectations are high for Thursday’s matchup.

Even after their loss to the Jets, Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff looks to fight for the rest of the season.

"“I looked at a couple things going into the Winnipeg game because I thought we hadn’t played there very well,” Ruff said. “I thought we’d try a couple different things and I’ve got a couple different ideas. I have met with a couple of players this morning. It’s about creating hope. I’ve got to keep creating hope. And we did a lot of things good in the game, basically it’s the same scenario, where you know I can’t will the puck to go in.”"

As much fire as he’s taking, Ruff stands his ground and seems to have a plan to bring the Stars back on track.

What to look for during Thursday’s game:

Like with any team, a win can never be expected. Odds can heavily favor one team over the other, but sometimes, good things can happen in full-fledged panic mode.

For Dallas, the importance of every game from Thursday to the end of the season is understood.

Every point counts. 

The Stars 15th for PP on the road with 19.4% but in 30th for PK on the road (71.2%). Optimistically, those statistics have the opportunity to improve on Thursday.

Next: Stars' List of Issues Are Solvable

Dallas will need to take the lead early in the game and not allow the Wild too many PP chances.

The third period, per usual, is totally unpredictable. Like Lindy says, it’s all about creating hope.

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