Stars score three in second period to thrash Wild

Captain Jamie Benn started a three-goal second for the Western Conference-leading Dallas Stars, who defeated Minnesota Wild 4-1 in front of 18,274 at American Airlines Center on Wednesday night.

Can we get a 'YEE HAW!"?!@Lexus | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/m5cDTDpZEy

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 9, 2023

Benn, playing his 1,001st NHL career game, broke a scoreless tie 23 seconds into the second period, netting his 20th on a perfect feed from 19-year-old rookie Wyatt Johnston s

Radek Faksa’s added the second five minutes later, and Jani Hakanpaa tipped in a shot from Roope Hintz midway through the period.

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Joel Eriksson Ek scored on a power play to reduce the deficit late in the second period, and the Wild had Ryan Hartman’s goal just 30 seconds later called off for goalie interference against Jordan Greenway.

Hintz made it 4-1 with an empty-netter for his 22nd of the season with 2:11 remaining.

Jake Oettinger made 38 saves for Dallas, whose second consecutive victory stopped a four-game run of games going to extra time.

Wild host Vegas on Thursday to finish a back-to-back and start their second seven-game homestand of the season, while the Stars are at Tampa Bay on Saturday for the second of two meetings. The Lightning won 5-4 in overtime at home in November.