Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild Set for Thrilling 2026 Playoff Showdown
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are on the horizon, with the Dallas Stars poised to face off against the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the Western Conference. This matchup was confirmed when the Colorado Avalanche secured the top spot in the Central Division, setting the stage for an intense rivalry. As of now, the Stars hold a narrow two-point lead over the Wild for second place, with both teams having four games left on their schedules. The final regular-season encounter between these two will take place on Thursday in Dallas, where the Wild lead the season series 2-1, having won two of their previous three meetings, including one in overtime. Season Series Breakdown: Oct 14: Stars 5, Wild 2 Roope Hintz: 1 goal, 2 assists Esa Lindell & Wyatt Johnston: 1 goal, 1 assist each Dec 11: Wild 5, Stars 2 Marcus Johansson: 2 goals Matt Boldy: 1 goal, 2 assists Mar 21: Wild 2, Stars 1 (OT) Bobby Brink: 1 goal, 1 assist Historically, this will be the third postseason meeting between these teams, with the Stars having won both prior encounters in 2016 and 2023. Current NHL futures odds indicate the Stars as favorites, ranging from -110 to -140, while the Wild sit between -110 and +120. Should the Wild secure home-ice advantage, FanDuel Sportsbook lists them as underdogs. Key Factors: Stars: Proven playoff track record, reaching the Western Conference Final in the last three seasons. Wild: Seeking to break a playoff series drought since 2015. Both teams feature 40-goal scorers, but the Stars possess a crucial playoff asset in Mikko Rantanen, who has consistently performed in high-pressure situations, including a standout 22 points in 18 games last postseason.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-08