Faceoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM ET (4:30 PM CT)
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Broadcast: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network North (FDSNNO), Victory+, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
This is the third postseason series between these Central Division rivals (and the third first-round clash). Dallas enters with home-ice advantage and superior depth, but significant injury concerns cloud their lineup. Minnesota brings elite top-end talent, physicality, and a healthier roster into a building where the Stars have been dominant. Expect a gritty, low-event series opener with playoff intensity from the drop of the puck.
Team Records and Recent Form
Dallas Stars (50-20-12): Posted one of the NHL’s strongest seasons (third-best in franchise history) despite a rash of injuries throughout the year. They closed on a 5-game win streak (including a 4-3 SO win over Buffalo on Apr 15 and a 2-0 shutout of the Rangers on Apr 11) and went 26-11-4 at home. Elite in one-goal games and special teams.
Minnesota Wild (46-24-12): Finished strong to lock in their second straight playoff berth, going 23-13-4 on the road. They showed offensive punch post-Quinn Hughes trade (3.58 goals/game in final 48 games) and ranked top-10 in blocks and hits. No shutouts all season; recent form included a 3-2 win over Anaheim in their finale.
Injury Report
Dallas Stars:
Miro Heiskanen (D): Lower-body injury (sustained Apr 9 vs. MIN); day-to-day. Skated individually and expected to practice Friday—status for Game 1 still TBD (coach Glen Gulutzan: “We’ll know tomorrow night… very hopeful”).
Roope Hintz (C): Lower-body injury; ruled out for at least Games 1 and 2 (hasn’t played since Mar 6).
Tyler Seguin (C): Out for season (ACL surgery in December).
Depth forwards and blue-line mobility could be tested if Heiskanen sits.
Minnesota Wild:
Quinn Hughes (D): Illness (missed practice Apr 16); day-to-day but traveling with the team and expected to play Game 1.
Zach Bogosian (D): Day-to-day (undisclosed).
Core stars (Kaprizov, Boldy, Zuccarello, goaltending tandem) are fully healthy. Minnesota enters far healthier than Dallas.
Key Player Matchups
Kirill Kaprizov (MIN, 89 points) vs. Dallas shutdown D / Jason Robertson line: Kaprizov is an MVP-caliber game-breaker (15 career playoff goals). Dallas will lean on Heiskanen (if healthy) and depth to contain him.
Jason Robertson / Wyatt Johnston (DAL) vs. Minnesota’s physical forecheck: Robertson (near 100 points) and Johnston anchor Dallas’ attack; Minnesota’s blocks/hits will test their creativity.
Goaltending: Jake Oettinger (DAL, strong vs. MIN historically) vs. Filip Gustavsson / Jesper Wallstedt (MIN tandem): Oettinger is 9-1-3 lifetime vs. Wild. Wallstedt (Masterton nominee, .916 SV%) likely starts for Minnesota.
Secondary / Depth: Minnesota’s center depth (Eriksson Ek, Hartman) vs. Dallas’ forecheckers (Faksa, Bunting, Hryckowian). Special teams will be massive—Dallas PP ranks top-2 league-wide.
Series History
Playoffs: Stars lead 2-0 (won 2016 and 2023 first-round series, both in 6 games).
Regular season 2025-26: Split 2-2-0 (or 2-1-1 per some reports); games were competitive and featured physical play/fights.
All-time: Long history (Stars originated as Minnesota North Stars); familiarity breeds chippy, high-stakes hockey.
Betting Trends
Stars are strong home favorites (26-11-4 record) and excel in one-goal games. Overs have been consistent in recent H2H and Wild road games. Minnesota has covered as underdogs recently; Dallas is 7-3 in last 10 playoff-style home games. Series odds favor Dallas (-118 to -140) but Wild sit close (+100 to +120) due to Dallas injuries.
Game Odds
Minnesota Wild 5.5
Dallas Stars – 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 17, 2026
