Heading into this year’s postseason, the Dallas Stars punched their ticket to the dance now on consecutive seasons. Their second straight trip to the playoffs they will be seeing a familiar face game one in Dallas. There will be familiar faces on both sides of the ice, too.
Divisional rivals
These two clubs in green have been pitted against each other in the central division annually since 2013-2014 minus the COVID adjusted 2021 season. This season, the clubs met four times. With both teams splitting the season series. The Stars garnered six out of eight points vs the Wild. Their two wins tcame in regulation while the Wild (who took four total points) won their two of four in the shootout.
These two bitter rivals have a playoff history too. In 2016 of the first round too, the Stars dispatched a pesky yet overmatched Minnesota team in six games. Despite leading the overmatched Minnesota team 2-0, and 3-1 in the best of seven series, the Wild did not go quietly.
The relocation of 1993
You’re not going to hear about the Stars vs Wild without hearing the name Norm Green. After the 1993 season, the owner of the old Minnesota North Stars had the team relocated to give Texas an NHL team. Giving berth to the modern day Stars. 30 years later Minnesota fans still bemoan Dallas, and Green for the relocation.
While the Wild have been in the NHL for over 20 years, the move still stings for fans of the team from the Twin Cities. Continuing to fuel the rivalry every time the two teams meet. A second playoff meeting will add to the history, and hatred in the central divisional rivalry.
For the Wild, they continue to hold onto their Minnesota hockey traditions since 1967. Even though they’ve only been around since 2001. One example of this is using the Stars’ old colors in their 2023 reverse retros.
Guys vs their old team
There are going to be a couple familiar faces in this matchup from 2016. Except while no longer with the Stars John Klingberg, and Alex Goligoski (who scored the series clinching goal seven years ago) will be playing for the Wild this time around. Mats Zuccarello (who played with Klingberg in Dallas four years ago) will also play on the other end of the ice.
In terms of more players playing their old team, Ryan Suter will be facing the Wild. Where he played for nine years. Wild right winger Ryan Hartman was also involved with the Stars in a trade, but never played in Dallas.
Back to his roots
While he hasn’t played for the Wild, underrated goalie Jake Oettinger is looking for a postseason dub vs his hometown team in Minnesota. Here’s to hoping for not only the Stars move on to the second round, but for otter never playing for Minnesota.
Photo credit: theathletic.com
Whether you’re talking former players, or team colors these two teams know each other very well. Familiarity is the name of the game. So is the fact that these two teams don’t like each other, and should make for a fun series.
Featured photo: Twitter app @DallasStars
