R. Poirier turned aside 24 shots, and Dallas finished its preseason meeting with Minnesota with a 2-0 shutout at American Airlines Center. The opening period offered chances without a goal; by the closing minutes, the Stars had a two-goal cushion and kept the Wild off the scoreboard.
How the Game Played Out
The first period ended scoreless, but it was not short on activity around the nets. Dallas worked the puck into scoring areas and tested the Minnesota goaltender from distance and closer in. One sequence brought a chance from the left-wing circle, followed by a rebound that Minnesota managed to clear. The Stars also had a power-play opportunity, moving the puck around the zone and getting a shot through, but Minnesota cleared the rebound before Dallas could turn the pressure into a goal.
Poirier had work to do at the other end as well. He handled early shots, including a chance after a Minnesota interception sent a shooter toward the net. Later, he covered the puck in the crease as players gathered in front. The period closed with another Dallas attempt in the final seconds, stopped before the horn. That kept the game level through the first 20 minutes and left the teams’ finishing touch as the question heading into the middle frame.
The available scoring information does not detail the second-period sequence, but the game had tilted decisively by the third: Dallas was ahead 2-0 with 6:16 remaining. A later Stars power play did not add to the margin, as Minnesota killed the penalty and Dallas continued to attack. M. Seminoff is recorded as the winning goal scorer. The final stretch brought Minnesota attempts from the circle and a loose puck near the crease, but Poirier covered it with 57.6 seconds left. Dallas won the ensuing draw, and the Stars closed out the shutout.
The finish made Poirier’s contribution especially clear. Minnesota continued to press rather than concede the last minutes, putting the Stars’ defensive work and goaltending under pressure. Dallas kept its shape, dealt with the late scramble, and saw out the remaining time without allowing a goal.
What the Result Means
This was a preseason game, so the result does not change either team’s regular-season standings. For Dallas, it offered a clean-sheet finish built around Poirier’s 24 saves and the ability to protect a two-goal lead late. The Stars also found a way to convert enough of their pressure into a winning margin, even though their first-period power play did not produce a goal.
Minnesota came away without a goal despite generating chances and pushing in the closing minutes. The game offered both teams a look at how their details held up under pressure: Dallas handled the final push, while Minnesota’s first-period defending and penalty kill kept the score close before the Stars established their advantage. The preseason schedule gives each side further opportunities to carry those lessons into its next test.
Watch the Highlights
Watch the video for the game’s saves, scoring moments and late pressure as Dallas closes out the shutout at American Airlines Center. The highlights capture Poirier’s work in net and the Stars’ final defensive stand.
Final Score: Dallas Stars 2, Minnesota Wild 0.
Final Score: Dallas Stars 2, Minnesota Wild 0.
Source: NHL game data + NHL highlight transcript
