Four reasons the Wild can beat the Stars and end their lengthy playoff drought

DALLAS — Judging by the most recent meeting of the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars, a little more than a week ago, this is going to be one intense, venom-filled first-round series.Miro Heiskanen got hurt on a check from Ryan Hartman. Mikko Rantanen went after Quinn Hughes and, Wild players felt, went after Kirill Kaprizov’s knee. Thomas Harley smashed his forearm twice into Matt Boldy’s face while his head was on the ice. That triggered Boldy to angrily retaliate against the talented Stars defenseman with a couple of heavy kidney shots once he freed himself. Lian Bichsel and Colin Blackwell both went after Nick Foligno, causing Nick’s younger brother, Marcus, to throw haymakers at every Stars player in reach.Advertisement