As the NHL postseason heats up, the Dallas Stars are set to visit the Minnesota Wild at the Grand Casino Arena. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 9:30 PM, this playoff game will be broadcast on TNT. This encounter marks the first game of the postseason for both teams.
The Dallas Stars, led by Head Coach Glen Gulutzan, will travel from their home ground at the American Airlines Center. Competing in the Western Central Division, the Stars are entering this game as the underdog with a MoneyLine of +112. On the other side, the Minnesota Wild, under the guidance of Head Coach John Hynes, will have the advantage of playing on their home ice.
With a MoneyLine of -131, the Wild are the favorites in this matchup. The game odds suggest a tight contest, with the puck line favoring Minnesota at -1.5 (+187). For bettors considering the total goals, the Over is set at 5.5 with odds of -136, while the Under holds at +109.
Wild vs Stars At a Glance
- Game Time & Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 9:30 PM
- Location: Grand Casino Arena
- TV Broadcast: Available on TNT
- Favorite Team: Minnesota Wild, with a MoneyLine of -131
- Underdog Team: Dallas Stars, with a MoneyLine of +112
- Coaches: Glen Gulutzan leads Dallas Stars, while John Hynes coaches Minnesota Wild
Wild Expectations: Minnesota’s Start to the Season
Offensive Firepower
The Minnesota Wild enter the new season with high expectations from their offensive lineup. Kirill Kaprizov, who tallied 45 goals and 44 assists last season, remains a key figure in their scoring strategy. Alongside him, Matt Boldy, contributing 42 goals and 43 assists, offers significant depth to their attacking options.
Quinn Hughes, known for his playmaking abilities, added 69 assists last season and remains a crucial player in creating scoring opportunities. With Mats Zuccarello questionable due to an upper-body injury, the team may need to rely on their depth to maintain offensive consistency.
Defensive Dynamics
Brock Faber’s presence on the blue line was felt with 148 blocks last season, showcasing his defensive prowess. His partnership with Quinn Hughes, who added 87 blocks, provides the Wild with a formidable defensive pairing. Joel Eriksson Ek, known for his defensive contributions, complements the team’s defensive structure with 106 hits.
As the Wild gear up for their first game, they will look to maintain their solid defensive play from last season. The team’s ability to transition from defense to offense will be critical in their season opener.
Goaltending Outlook
Filip Gustavsson is expected to start in net after securing 28 wins and 1,245 saves last season. His consistency between the pipes will be pivotal for the Wild’s defensive strategy. Jesper Wallstedt, serving as a reliable backup, offers depth in the goaltending department, having recorded 18 wins in 35 games last season.
With no shutouts last season, the Wild’s goaltenders will aim to elevate their game this year. Their performance in the crease will be a determining factor in the team’s overall success.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-3 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-4 (20.0%)
- SU Last 10: 4-6 (40.0%)
- SU All Games: 33-30 (52.4%)
- SU as Favorite: 22-11 (66.7%)
- SU as Underdog: 11-19 (36.7%)
- Puckline Last 3: 0-3 (0.0%)
- Puckline Last 5: 1-4 (20.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 4-6 (40.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 36-27 (57.1%)
- Puckline as Favorite: 24-9 (72.7%)
- Puckline as Underdog: 12-18 (40.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- O/U Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 5-5 (50.0%)
- O/U All Games: 28-35 (44.4%)
Dallas Stars: Shining Bright at the Start of the Season
Away Team Overview
The Dallas Stars are gearing up for their season opener with a promising lineup. This game marks the beginning of their journey in the 2026 regular season. The team is eager to demonstrate their strength against the Minnesota Wild at the Grand Casino Arena.
Jason Robertson is a key player to watch, coming off a season with 45 goals and 51 assists. His offensive abilities make him a potential game-changer in any situation. Alongside him, Wyatt Johnston also showcased his scoring prowess with 45 goals last season.
Player Performances
Miro Heiskanen remains a solid presence on defense, contributing significantly with 132 blocks last season. His ability to thwart opposition attacks will be crucial in maintaining the team’s defensive integrity. Matt Duchene, with 45 points in 57 games, adds depth to the forward line, making the Stars a formidable opponent.
In the goal, Jake Oettinger is expected to be a reliable last line of defense. He recorded 36 wins last season, demonstrating consistency between the pipes. His performance will be pivotal in providing stability for the Stars as they embark on their new season.
Injury Concerns
The Stars face some challenges with key players like Roope Hintz and Tyler Seguin sidelined due to injuries. Hintz’s absence, due to a lower-body injury, may impact the team’s offensive dynamics. Seguin’s long-term absence with an ACL injury further strains the roster, necessitating others to step up.
Nate Bastian is also unavailable, dealing with a hand injury. His absence reduces the team’s options on the right wing. These injuries could test the Stars’ depth and adaptability early in the season.
Dallas Stars Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-3 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 0-5 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10: 5-5 (50.0%)
- SU All Games: 41-26 (61.2%)
- SU as Favorite: 38-21 (64.4%)
- SU as Underdog: 3-5 (37.5%)
The Stars have a strong track record as favorites, achieving a 64.4% win rate in such scenarios. However, as underdogs, their success rate drops to 37.5%. Their puckline performance also reflects some inconsistencies, with a 53.7% success rate overall.
Wild vs Stars Prediction: Over 5.5
The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars have shown a tendency to engage in high-scoring games in their recent head-to-head matchups. In the 2026 postseason, both games between these teams went over the total. This trend, combined with the high-stakes nature of playoff hockey, suggests another game filled with goals.
The regular season meetings between these two teams also supported the over, with three out of four games surpassing the total set by oddsmakers. Both teams have offensive capabilities that can exploit defensive lapses. The combination of these factors points to another game likely exceeding 5.5 goals.
Additionally, the odds favoring the over at -136 indicate that bookmakers expect a higher scoring game. Despite the playoff pressure, both teams are capable of generating multiple scoring opportunities. With these dynamics, backing the over seems the wise choice.
Given the data and trends, the projected final score for this game is Wild 4 – Stars 3, which comfortably hits the over. Both teams are likely to capitalize on any defensive errors, making for an entertaining and goal-rich game.
- Wild vs Stars Prediction: Over 5.5
- Wild vs Stars Score: Wild 4 – Stars 3
