ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild finally played another contender, and now they’re back in business.

Even amid their recent struggles and without Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, the Wild eclipsed the soaring Stars 2-1 in overtime on Saturday at Grand Casino Arena in only Dallas’ third loss in the last 18 games.

The Wild snapped a four-game slide at home against non-playoff teams with just their second victory in their past six games.

Seconds after hitting the post, a wide-open Vladimir Tarasenko scored 3:06 into 3-on-3 overtime after the Wild overcame two penalties in the third period, including a four-minute power play after Bobby Brink was whistled for high-sticking; eight of Filip Gustavsson’s total 28 saves came shorthanded.

Stars forward Jason Robertson netted his 38th goal on the power play in the first period before Brink answered back with a breakaway halfway through the second. Jake Oettinger made 26 saves while dropping to 8-1-4 in his career vs. the Wild.

Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek remained sidelined with lower-body injuries, with Kaprizov missing his second game and Eriksson Ek his third. They’re considered day-to-day.

Dallas is four points back of 100-point Colorado for the top spot in the Central Division and first place in the NHL, and the Wild are four points behind the Stars.

Whoever finishes second and third in the division will square off in the first round of the playoffs, so the Wild’s playoff matchup is still unclear with 11 games left in the regular season.

Before the game, the Wild honored captain Jared Spurgeon for playing in his 1,000th game March 14 after Spurgeon’s teammates wore his No. 46 on their jerseys during warmups.

Spurgeon, who was recognized alongside his wife, Danielle, their four children and his parents, Barry and Debi, received a silver stick for the achievement and well-wishes from current and former teammates during a video tribute.

How it happened

Quinn Hughes was boarded by Robertson in the first minute, resulting in a power play for the Wild, but they couldn’t translate the early momentum into a goal.

Instead, it was the Stars who capitalized first, on their first power play.

Just 11 seconds into the chance, Robertson banked a shot in off Jake Middleton’s skate with 5:39 left in the first.

Still, it was an even period between the two rivals, and that competitiveness carried over to the second.

Finally, at 10:45, Brink got loose, backhanding in a breakaway put in motion by Hughes’ stretch pass. Spurgeon also picked up an assist.

Turning point

A high-sticking penalty on Jonas Brodin gave Dallas another power play in the third period, and the Wild denied the Stars on a key save by Gustavsson off a Wyatt Johnston one-timer and a shot block by Brock Faber on Robertson.

Dallas had a do-over with Brink’s double-minor, and the Wild PK remained clutch; Nico Sturm even had a shorthanded shot.

Overall, the Stars went 1 for 5, and the Wild power play was 0 for 2.

Then in overtime, Tarasenko connected for his 20th goal of the season and 12th career OT goal; Brink and Hughes had the assists.

Up next

The Wild begin a three-game road trip at Tampa Bay on March 24.

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