Wild vs. Stars: Minnesota makes changes to line combinations

The Minnesota Wild will have a different look on Thursday night.

Jordan Greenway, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno, one of the most effective combinations last season, will be reformed as the Wild’s top line for the matchup against the Dallas Stars and return of former Wild defenseman Ryan Suter to the Xcel Energy Center.

In corresponding moves, former linemates Mat Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov have been separated and moved to the second and third lines, respectively.

The latter seems to be a message to the second-year Russian forward, who won the Calder Trophy last year and has three goals and 11 points in 15 games.

Michael Russo of The Athletic touched on Kaprizov’s play this season in his story on the Wild’s 4-1 loss to San Jose on Tuesday. Kaprizov and Zuccarello were centered by Freddy Gaudreau and later Ryan Hartman in the game.

Russo wrote:

"Kaprizov, especially, had another disappointingly unimpressive night. He registered two shots and was a well-earned minus-2, not backchecking before the Sharks’ first goal and coughing up the puck, then lollygagging back into his zone before the Sharks scored their fourth. That turnover was one of many examples when he just threw away pucks."

Suter had 55 goals and 369 in 656 games in nine seasons with the Wild. He ranks second in assists with 369 and fourth in both points and games played with the franchise.

The matchup is the last of a two-game homestand for the Wild, who travel to the Sunshine State for weekend matchups with the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Suter had 55 goals and 369 in 656 games in nine seasons with the Wild. He ranks second in assists with 369 and fourth in both points and games played with the franchise.

Minnesota has not played Dallas since Feb. 7, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wild went 3-1 against the Stars in the 2019-20 season, and are 11-3-3 in the last 17 games against Dallas at the Xcel Energy Center.

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Betting odds

The Wild vs. Stars odds on WynnBET has Minnesota as a 1.5 goal favorite in St. Paul. The Wild are listed as -140 favorites on the moneyline, while Dallas is the underdogs at +125. The total goals is set at an over/under of 5.5.

Upcoming Wild schedule

Saturday, Nov. 20: @Florida, 5 p.m.  CST

Sunday, Nov. 21: @Tampa Bay, 4 p.m. CST

Wednesday, Nov. 20: @New Jersey, 6 p.m. CST