A goal from a depth forward or defensemen could be the difference in Game 6. It was in Games 3 and 4, and the Wild got them.
In Game 4, it was fourth-line forward Marcus Foligno delivering the game-tying goal with 5:20 remaining in the third period. Matt Boldy won it in overtime.
In Game 5, it was third-line center Michael McCarron getting behind the Dallas defense to score and give Minnesota a 3-1 lead at 7:47 of the third. It was the game-winning goal.
The Stars have not gotten similar production from their depth players. Their only goal scorers are the five skaters on its first power-play unit; Jason Robertson (five), Wyatt Johnston (three), Miro Heiskanen (two), Matt Duchene (two) and Rantanen (one). They’ve gotten five points, all assists, from four other players including defenseman Nils Lundkvist (two), who will not play because of a deep facial laceration.
“We keep circling back to it, you need people to step up whether it’s your bottom six or your top six,” Gulutzan said. “With big moments come big people, and that’s what you’re hoping for. You need it now.”
Stars projected lineup
Jason Robertson — Wyatt Johnston — Mavrik Bourque
Sam Steel — Matt Duchene — Mikko Rantanen
Michael Bunting — Justin Hryckowian — Jamie Benn
Oskar Back — Radek Faksa — Colin Blackwell
Thomas Harley — Miro Heiskanen
Esa Lindell — Ilya Lyubushkin
Lian Bichsel — Alexander Petrovic
Jake Oettinger
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: Kyle Capobianco, Adam Erne, Tyler Myers
Injured: Nathan Bastian (hand), Roope Hintz (lower body), Nils Lundkvist (face laceration), Tyler Seguin (ACL), Arttu Hyry (lower body)
Wild projected lineup
Kirill Kaprizov — Ryan Hartman — Mats Zuccarello
Marcus Johansson — Joel Eriksson Ek — Matt Boldy
Vladimir Tarasenko — Michael McCarron — Yakov Trenin
Marcus Foligno — Nico Sturm — Nick Foligno
Quinn Hughes — Brock Faber
Jake Middleton — Jared Spurgeon
Zach Bogosian — Jeff Petry
Jesper Wallstedt
Filip Gustavsson
Scratched: Robby Fabbri, Viking Gustafsson-Nyberg, Daemon Hunt, Matt Kiersted, Danila Yurov, Bobby Brink
Injured: Jonas Brodin (lower body)
Status report
Hyry did not participate in the morning skate, and the forward will not play after being injured in the second period of Game 5. … Bunting will make his series debut. … Petrovic will replace Myers, a defenseman, and make his series debut. … Hintz did not make the trip and continues to skate on his own. The center has not played since March 6. … The Wild held an optional skate. … Brodin is out. The defenseman left Game 5 at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a shot by Rantanen and is day to day. Petry will replace him and make his series debut.
NHL.com senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report
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