SAINT PAUL — Vladimir Tarasenko scored 3:06 into overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday. The win halted a dominant run by Dallas, who entered the contest with a 15-1-1 record over their previous 17 games.
The matchup carried significant weight in the regional sports landscape as Dallas chases the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota secured the two points despite missing key forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek to lower-body injuries.
Jason Robertson opened the scoring to give Dallas the initial lead. Minnesota responded when Bobby Brink found the back of the net, tying the game and eventually forcing the extra period.
In overtime, Tarasenko beat Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger to seal the 2-1 final. Minnesota goaltender Filip Gustavsson earned the win, turning aside 28 shots throughout the contest.
Following the game, Tarasenko, Brink, and Nick Foligno addressed reporters regarding the victory. The Wild had previously lost four of their last five games before defeating the Stars.