"We were very businesslike in the room, and they were just ready to play," Evason said following
a 5-1 win
at Xcel Energy Center. "It's such a big credit to, and I know it probably gets old when I talk about our leaders and whatever, but it's reality that the way that they conducted themselves and in preparation for this game and then executing on the ice is real good."
The win gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series. Game 4 is here Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET; TBS, SN360, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, BSN, BSWI, BSSW).
Sure, credit goes to the leaders. For the Wild, however, it also goes to them getting back to a much cleaner, efficient and effective game after a forgettable, error-filled 7-3 loss in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Minnesota had just two giveaways in Game 3, compared to 15 in Game 2. The Wild were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill, the first time they haven't allowed the Stars a power-play goal in the series.
"We only had a couple opportunities, and I think I wouldn't say we were kind of nonchalant in thinking we'd have a lot of chances like we had in past games, but we've just got to be focusing on the first one and not take it for granted, these opportunities, because you never know," Dallas forward Jason Robertson said. "We kind of took that for granted today and we'll be sharper for next game."
RELATED: [Complete Stars vs. Wild series coverage]
The Wild didn't allow any odd-man rushes either. They also stymied the Stars' top players. Dallas forward Roope Hintz, who had three goals and an assist in Game 2, did not have a shot on goal in 18:11 of ice time Friday.
Minnesota also got a boost from returning players. Forward Ryan Hartman, who missed Game 2 with a lower-body injury, played 18:02, scored an empty-net goal and had the primary assist on each of forward Mats Zuccarello's goals.
"Just go do it," Hartman said. "You can say it as much as you want, but you've got to actually go and get it done. We played heavy when we had to and when opportunities came for skill, you saw [Marcus Johansson's] goal, he's able to make plays, and he had another couple chances that hit the post. Just all around, I think it was a really good Minnesota Wild hockey game."