Dallas @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2019 ) Minnesota 3, Dallas 6

The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars are clawing their way back from disastrous starts to the season, one that saw the former win just once in their first seven games (1-6-0) and the latter lose eight of nine (1-7-1). The resurgent Wild will carry an eight-game point streak (5-0-3) into Sunday afternoon's matchup against the visiting Stars.

Playing 13 of its first 18 on the road contributed to the rocky start for Minnesota, which improved to 6-1-2 at home after erupting for a season-high goal total in Friday's 7-2 rout of Ottawa. "We put ourselves in a tough position to start the year," Wild forward Ryan Hartman told reporters. "We aren't looking at the standings too much. We are just doing what we need to do. Just getting points. If we do that, we're going to be just fine." The Stars were in the midst of a torrid stretch, winning seven in a row and earning points in 12 straight (11-0-1) before stumbling with back-to-back losses to Chicago and reigning Stanley Cup champion St. Louis. Dallas used a stunning comeback in a 6-3 win over visiting Minnesota on Oct. 29, erasing a three-goal deficit and scoring five times in the third period.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FS Southwest Plus (Dallas), FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE STARS (15-10-2): Dallas scored at least four goals eight times during its 12-game point streak to seemingly put an end to the early-season offensive struggles, but it managed only one goal over the past two losses. Alexander Radulov, who had a hat trick as part of a four-point night in the previous matchup versus Minnesota, has been held off the scoresheet in seven of his last 10 games overall. Captain Jamie Benn is a minus-6 during a four-game point drought following a four-goal binge in his previous three.

ABOUT THE WILD (11-11-4): Minnesota is receiving strong production from the fourth line of Victor Rask, Ryan Donato and Hartman, with the latter pair each collecting points in three straight games. However, the unit could be shuffled Sunday with the return of forward Marcus Foligno, who is expected to draw into the lineup after missing more than three weeks with a lower-body injury. "It's a good and bad decision to have," said coach Bruce Boudreau at Saturday's practice, adding that he is leaning toward Alex Stalock in net.

OVERTIME

1. Wild captain Mikko Koivu will appear in his 1,000th game Sunday - all with Minnesota.

2. Stars D Stephen Johns, out since the start of last season due to post-concussion headaches, was cleared to return to practice.

3. Wild F Zach Parise has scored in three straight, giving him seven goals in his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Stars 2