The Stars try to win their third straight game as they visit the Minnesota Wild on Saturday in the final contest for both teams before the much-needed layoff. It will be the Stars' 1,000th regular-season game since moving to Dallas from Minnesota in 1993.

Dallas' inability to remain healthy led to a 1-4-1 stretch from Dec. 31-Jan. 11, but the team is beginning to adjust without its regulars and has bounced back with consecutive wins. Jere Lehtinen scored twice Wednesday while Joel Lundqvist and Stu Barnes also added goals in a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames.

The Stars (28-18-1) played without leading scorer Philippe Boucher, who became the latest addition to the ever-growing injury list. The defenseman was hit in the face with a puck in Monday's win over Los Angeles and is expected to miss Saturday's game as well, but is planning on playing in the All-Star game on the Stars' home ice.

"Every time we get continuity, another guy goes down. Its a situation where people are thrust into minutes and different roles," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "Our young guys have filled the void."

There will be a void for some time as Mike Modano (hip/groin) and Brenden Morrow (wrist) aren't expected back soon. The Stars are hoping the break will help some of their other injured players, though, including Jeff Halpern (lower body), Sergei Zubov (elbow), Matthew Barnaby (concussion) and Steve Ott (ankle), who was sent to the AHL Thursday for a conditioning stint.

One constant for the depleted Stars has been goaltender Marty Turco, who has started all but eight games. He made 18 saves Wednesday to earn his 160th career victory and move into a tie with Ed Belfour for the Stars' all-time lead in wins.

"Just to be mentioned with him, the great career he had here, we all know what he represents to this organization, the one guy who brought us the Cup. It's not bad company," said Turco, who is 6-1 with a 1.42 goals-against average in his last seven starts against the Wild. "More than anything, I play to give our team a chance to win every night."

Turco may get the chance to set the record Saturday, but the Stars could opt to give him the night off since he is a reserve for the Western Conference in the upcoming All-Star game. Dallas called up goaltender Dan Ellis from the AHL on Thursday as backup Mike Smith is on injured reserve with a concussion.

The Wild (25-20-3) have been battling injuries as well as Keith Carney (back spasms), Kurtis Foster (lower body), Todd White (lower body) and Pavol Demitra (upper body) were all sidelined on Friday, but Demitra is listed as probable for Saturday's contest.

Marian Gaborik made sure those absences weren't felt, scoring twice to lead Minnesota to a 3-0 win over the slumping Chicago Blackhawks in just his seventh game back after missing 34 with a strained groin.

The Wild left wing is riding a five-game point streak with seven goals and an assist in that span.

"When I started playing, I didn't think about scoring goals," said Gaborik, who has 11 goals and four assists in 14 games this season. "I just wanted to get out there and get skating. When I skate, I think things are happening."

Minnesota goaltender Manny Fernandez made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season. The netminder, who began his career in Dallas, has lost six of his last eight starts against his former team, posting a 2.61 GAA.

The Wild notched their franchise-record fourth consecutive road win on Friday and now return home, where they are 17-5-2, but also trying to snap a three-game losing streak.

Dallas has won four straight versus the Wild, including a 4-3 shootout win on Dec. 2. The Stars are 528-320-151 since moving to Dallas.