The Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-2 in a preseason game, showcasing a strong comeback after falling behind early. Here are three key takeaways from the Stars' victory:

1. Youth Movement Shines

The game highlighted the performance of young players, both those trying to secure a spot on the NHL roster and established NHL players. Wyatt Johnston led the charge, scoring two goals and an assist. Johnston's performance is a positive sign after what he likely considered a sub-par playoff performance. Mavrik Bourque also had a strong showing, building on an already impressive preseason. Bourque showcased his playmaking ability by setting up Johnston's first goal with a clever spin move and backhand pass.

2. Resilient Response

The Stars demonstrated resilience by overcoming a 2-0 deficit. Marco Rossi scored twice in the final 64 seconds of the first period to give the Wild an early lead. However, the Stars responded with five unanswered goals. Johnston's two goals tied the game, and the Stars continued to build momentum, eventually sealing the win with three more goals. After the Wild's initial scoring surge, Dallas goalie Casey DeSmith remained in net for the entire game, helping to keep the Wild off the scoreboard.

3. Strong First Period Foundation

While this game was a comeback win, another preseason game between the Stars and Wild saw the Stars build a lead in the first period. In that game, the Stars came out strong in the first period, with goals from Kyle MacDonald and Miro Heiskanen. That strong start ultimately led to a 5-2 victory. The Stars' ability to start strong and maintain pressure in the offensive zone was a key factor in that game.