Faceoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT)
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
TV: ESPN2 / FDSNNO / Victory+ / FDSNWI / SN360 / TVAS2
The Western Conference First Round series is knotted at 2-2 heading into Game 5 at American Airlines Center. After Minnesota stunned Dallas with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 4—capped by Matt Boldy’s deflection with 29 seconds left in the extra frame—the Stars now get home-ice advantage back in a must-win environment. Dallas earned the higher seed and home advantage with a superior regular-season record, but the Wild have shown resilience on the road and in overtime. A Stars win pushes them to a 3-2 lead with Game 6 in Minnesota; a Wild victory sends the series back to St. Paul with Minnesota holding momentum.
Dallas finished eight points ahead of Minnesota in the Central and posted one of the league’s top defensive records. Minnesota advanced as a strong wild-card-level team with solid goaltending and depth scoring.
Recent Team Forms
Stars (last 10 games, including playoffs): Strong rebounders after the Game 1 blowout loss. Dallas is 2-2 in the series, winning Games 2 and 3 (including a gritty 4-3 2OT victory in Game 3). They have controlled play at even strength in stretches and boast elite special teams and goaltending.
Wild (last 10 games, including playoffs): 2-2 in the series with high-variance results. Minnesota dominated Game 1 (6-1), lost the next two narrowly, then stole Game 4 in OT. They have thrived in overtime and shown fight on the road but have been inconsistent in sustaining pressure.
Injury Report
Dallas Stars:
Roope Hintz (C) – Out (lower body; missed recent games, doubtful/expected return timeline beyond Game 5).
Nils Lundkvist (D) – Out (face; ruled out for Game 5).
Tyler Seguin (C) – Out for season (knee/ACL).
Nathan Bastian (RW) – Out (hand).
Roster otherwise healthy with depth forwards available.
Minnesota Wild:
Mats Zuccarello (RW) – Questionable (upper body; missed Games 2-4 after elbow to head in Game 1; skated and could return).
Yakov Trenin (C) – Out (upper body; missed Game 4 after hit in Game 2).
Other notes: Zach Bogosian (maintenance day recently) expected available.
Dallas’s injury depth is tested without Hintz and Lundkvist, while Minnesota’s top-line chemistry could get a boost if Zuccarello returns.
Key Player Matchups
Kirill Kaprizov / Matt Boldy (MIN) vs. Dallas defense (Miro Heiskanen / Thomas Harley): Boldy’s OT heroics in Game 4 highlight Minnesota’s scoring punch. Kaprizov remains a constant threat; Dallas must contain them without full defensive depth.
Jake Oettinger (DAL G) vs. Minnesota’s forecheck: Oettinger has been stellar in the series (strong in Game 3 and parts of Game 4). He faces a Wild team generating high-danger chances in OT scenarios.
Jason Robertson / Matt Duchene (DAL) vs. Minnesota’s back end (Jonas Brodin / Brock Faber): Dallas needs Robertson’s playmaking and Duchene’s veteran presence (2 assists in Game 4) to generate offense.
Special teams and goaltending: Both teams have traded power-play goals; the Stars lead in series special-teams efficiency, but Minnesota’s penalty kill has been opportunistic. Wild goaltending (likely Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt) must match Oettinger’s level.
Additional notes: Dallas excels in puck possession and transition; Minnesota has capitalized on turnovers and overtime play. Physicality (hits, blocked shots) has been even, with both teams battling in front of nets.
Series History
2025-26 Regular Season: Dallas held the edge in head-to-head matchups.
2026 Playoffs (Current Series): Tied 2-2.
Game 1 (Apr 18 @ DAL): MIN 6, DAL 1
Game 2 (Apr 20 @ DAL): DAL 4, MIN 2
Game 3 (Apr 22 @ MIN): DAL 4, MIN 3 (2OT)
Game 4 (Apr 25 @ MIN): MIN 3, DAL 2 (OT)
The series has featured blowouts, OT thrillers, and tight checking—classic playoff hockey between Central Division rivals.
Betting Trends
Stars are strong at home in the postseason and have covered as favorites. Minnesota is 1-4 SU in recent road games and has seen variance in totals. Three of four series games have been decided by one goal (two in OT). Dallas is 2-0 ATS in last two home playoff games.
Game Odds
Minnesota Wild 5.5
Dallas Stars – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 27, 2026
