ST. PAUL, Minn. _ Improved play has led to better results for the Wild after a 1-5-1 skid stirred flashbacks to the team's season-opening rut.
But there may be another catalyst behind the Wild's recent rebound: Rest.
After coach Bruce Boudreau called off practice Wednesday to give players a break from hockey, the Wild returned rejuvenated to end a four-game slide.
And the players were even more energetic Saturday on the heels of no morning skate, reporting for duty that night with a determined edge that culminated in a 7-0 rout of the Stars before an announced 18,219 at Xcel Energy Center, closing out a week that started miserably with back-to-back victories.
Alex Stalock, in his second consecutive start, was airtight _ stopping all 27 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season. Stalock worked with a comfortable cushion most of the evening thanks to a multi-pronged attack.
Seven players were responsible for the goals, and 13 totaled at least a point. Jason Zucker was the standout, tallying a goal and two assists _ his first points since returning last Sunday from a broken leg. Mats Zuccarello, Ryan Donato, Ryan Hartman and Ryan Suter also had multipoint efforts.
The Wild split their offense between the first two periods, setting a physical tone that the Stars matched. Both teams dished out 12 hits through the first 20 minutes, and the style seemed to suit the Wild.
Seconds after Stalock made a clutch breakaway save on Denis Gurianov _ and followed it up by also keeping out Gurianov's rebound attempt _ the Wild transitioned the other way and Zuccarello set up Jared Spurgeon for a one-timer at 10 minutes, 32 seconds. The goal was the defenseman's first since he returned Dec. 19 from a hand injury.
At 16:27, defenseman Carson Soucy doubled the Wild's lead when his wrist shot sailed by Dallas goalie Anton Khudobin.
In the second period, the Wild kept applying pressure. Zucker scored on a power play 3:38 in; Donato scored on a backhander 33 seconds later that chased Khudobin; and Zuccarello scored with 53 seconds left in the period.
Zach Parise and Hartman added power-play goals in the third period as the Wild finished 3 for 3 on the power play.
