The Wild have become one of the toughest teams to play against, gaining points and climbing up the standings. The Wild have earned 30 standings points since Nov. 1, a number topped only by the Avalanche and Stars, each of whom has earned 33. Amazingly, each of the three teams sit in the loaded Central Division.

Jiricek, who was acquired in a trade with Columbus last season, has played a dozen games with the Wild this season and 10 more in Iowa.

Last season Jiricek suffered a spleen injury that ended his season early. The MN Wild envisioned a scenario in which they improved upon Jiricek’s skating and got him to a place where he could be a top contributor on the ice.

The Wild will turn to either Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt in net. Gustavsson is 9-8-3 with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage, and Wallstedt is 8-1-2 with a 1.95 GAA and a .936 save percentage.

Marcus Johansson scored twice, Matt Boldy had a goal and two assists, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 5-2