In a span of 23 hours, the Xcel Energy Center will play host to two different, yet equally as huge hockey games.
Stars Vs. Wild: Dallas Hopes To Leap Blackhawks, Qualify For Playoffs With Win
On Saturday night, Minnesota-Duluth defeated Michigan in the NCAA championship game, and on this Sunday evening, the Dallas Stars will attempt to qualify for the playoffs in the final game of the NHL season.
They take on the Minnesota Wild knowing what they need to do: Win in regulation or overtime and they are in. Lose, or win in a shootout, and they are out. This becomes their motivation after the Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Detroit Red Wings, 4-3 at United Center earlier today.
Dallas hasn’t exactly been on fire in their last 10 games, but they were strong enough to remain in striking distance of the Blackhawks. Now, with their season on the line and some hope still lingering thanks to the help of the Wings, the Stars are in the position to make the final leap into the postseason.
They’re facing off against a Wild club they’ve played well this season. In three prior matchups, the Stars have a perfect record, including a 4-0 shutout in St. Paul back in January.
The possibilities are endless in today’s game. You just know that the Wild are going to want to play the role of spoiler here, despite having nothing else to play for but draft position. Meanwhile, the late game antics that we could see are quite exciting. Say the Stars are tied late in overtime. The push in the final minute could be incredible.
Of course, that’s the kind of craziness the NHL is hoping for. They’ve bumped the game to NHL Network in both the United States and Canada, which you can catch beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern.
Follow along right here with this StoryStream as we provide live updates. You can also join the fray at our Stars blog, Defending Big D, and our Wild blog, Hockey Wilderness.
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