The Minnesota Wild is no longer that cute little team from up north that always motivated itself to beat the big, bad Dallas Stars, which left Minneapolis back in 1993. These days, the Wild has the offense, the defense and the goaltending that fuels the club’s new motivation – a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The 2007-2008 version of the Wild entered the season with high expectations, which looked like they were being met after a blistering 7-0-1 start to the season. The offense was clicking, and Niklas Backstrom (13-7-1) continued to emerge as a top-flight goaltender in the National Hockey League.

As with all teams, injuries began to factor in and soon, the Wild seemed to be a shell of itself. Pavol Demitra, the team’s top playmaker and partner in crime to Marian Gaborik, the Wild’s top scorer with 18 goals and 16 assists, went down with a groin injury on October 21.

In the next game three nights later, the Wild entered Calgary having not lost a game in regulation, and proceeded to build a 3-0 win after one period. Then, the Pengrowth Saddledome roof, which already sags, came completely crashing down on the Wild as the Flames scored five unanswered goals in a 5-3 win.

A five-game losing streak ensued, as did a string of injuries to the team’s top players. Gaborik missed time with a groin injury of his own, and , the team’s top center, had his fibula broken by a Mattias Ohlund slash during a 6-2 humiliation in Vancouver on November 16.

During all this, the club dealt with the retirement of Wes Walz, who was one of two players (along with Gaborik) to have played with the Wild since the club’s inception in 2000.

Yet, the club has found ways to rebound from injuries and tough losses. When healthy, the club boasts two top scoring lines with Demitra centering Gaborik and (insert hard-nosed net-crashing winger here), as well as the line of newcomer Eric Belanger centering Brian Rolston and Pierre-Marc Bouchard.

The club has also enjoyed the emergence of several youngsters. Defenseman Brent Burns as always possessed the size and skating ability, but this appears to be the year of his breakout as a future All-Star blueliner. The 22-year-old has already equaled his career-high of seven goals and is a plus-three. However, the youngster who has everybody talking in the Twin Cities is.

Voros was acquired in a trade last spring that barely caused a blip on the NHL transaction page. Pegged as a minor leaguer with willingness to drop the gloves and throw his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame around, Voros didn’t hang around long at training camp. When his call-up was necessary in November, he far exceeded the low expectations. The power forward has already chipped in six goals and five assists in 20 games, but his contributions go way beyond offense. He has endeared himself to coaches and fans alike with his intense play and exuberant on-ice persona. The only fear is that he’ll end up hurting one of his own teammates with his wild celebrations.

Voros’ arrival seems to have reinvigorated the Wild and brought it back among the top contenders in the ultra-competitive Northwest Division. Minnesota sits two points out of first in the Division, while it holds the fifth spot in the Western Conference playoff chase. The club was enjoying a four-game winning streak, which was highlighted by an unbelievable five-goal performance by Gaborik in a 6-3 win over the New York Rangers on December 20.

The Detroit Red Wings quickly squashed those good vibes two nights later. Much like they’ve done to other opponents all season, the Wings dismantled the Wild by a 4-1 score, showing that even the Western Conference contenders have a long way to go.

STARS BACK ON TOP IN THE PAC

A four-goal surge in the third period helped the Stars cap off their sixth straight home win over the Ducks, 5-2, Sunday at the American Airlines Center. Brenden Morrow and Niklas Hagman each had two goals.

Good rly good,game where Anaheim's ofence didn't showed at all!!

It seems like the Stars have had a lot of success in part because of the "young/new" faces are finally stepping up. It seems like Modano has passed the torch this season to Brendan Morrow and Mike Ribeiro. Those two players have really produced this year and that has made a huge difference for a team that used to be lacking in offense.

And it can only get better with Lehtinin back and Zubov should be back before the post season things are looking up in big D
The Stars extended their win streak in Edmonton to seven on Friday with a 4-1 victory. Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro each tallied two points, while Jere Lehtinen notched an assist in his return from a 33-game absence.

I am giving up from Anaheim,but don't want to see Sharks at division lead,so go Stars go...

Just got home home and Anaheim is losing,wonder what can Stars do about Flames.Sharks won it in So as predicted.

I heard a rumor a while ago that Martin St. Louis might be traded for Turco. Do you guys think it would be good for the Stars to make? How good is Mike Smith? Can he take over the #1 role soon?

i have no doubt that smitty can be a #1 however ive heard nothing of this trade i think it would be great for the stars and should be looked at closely

we got the pink wings today stars should hand them yet another loss on dallas's way to winning the presidents trophy GO STARS