It’s time for another Last Word on Hockey First-Round series preview. This time we go in-depth on the opening-round series between the Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild series. Both teams made upgrades during the season and have designs on a deep Stanley Cup Playoff run. However, someone is going to have to go home early.
Dallas has reached the Western Conference Final three consecutive seasons. However, that wasn’t enough to save Peter DeBoer’s job. Glen Gulutzan is now the bench boss for a Stars team that wants to finally get over the hump.
Minnesota made some massive additions like Quinn Hughes from thew Vancouver Canucks. However, the Wild weren’t able to get past the Stars or the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division. One of these heavyweights will be going home after round one.
Let’s take a look at the series breakdown between the Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild first-round series. We’ll take a look at the series keys, odds, promos and make our ultimate prediction on the series.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Series Preview
Stars vs Wild Odds and Promos
Many think this series between the Stars and Wild is going to go the distance and go the full seven games. We’ve seen odds of +210 for this series going to full complement of games. The ultimate prediction is the Stars will pull through to face the winner of the Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings. Those odds are +425.
Stars vs Wild 2025-26 History
The two rivals split their four-game season series. Both clubs were actually even when it comes to goals scored and allowed (13). These two teams are about as evenly matched as any clubs can be. Both teams have differences, but it’s been a coin flip.
Dallas started the season with a 5-2 win over Minnesota in October. However, the Wild took the middle two games of the season series on Dec. 11 and March 21. However, Dallas got the last laugh during the regular season with a 5-4 triumph on April 9.
(Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire)
Stars vs Wild Keys to the Series
What the Stars Need to do to Find Success
Dallas has made deep postseason runs for most of the decade. The Stars are strong when it comes winning playoff series against teams that aren’t the Edmonton Oilers. Both teams are proficient when it comes to scoring on the power play. The Stars are second with a 28.6 percent success rate. Dallas is also strong on the faceoff dot with 51.6 percent win ratio. That’s good enough for seventh in the regular season.
The Stars also boast two things that can win postseason games and that’s defence and goaltending. Names like Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, and Esa Lindell on the back end and make up one of the best defensive groups in the league. Dallas also has Jake Oettinger in between the pipes this season. He has a 35-12-6 record with a 2.59 goals-against-average and .899 save percentage.
The Stars also have a top 10 offence with 3.33 goals scored per game, which is good enough for ninth in the league. Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston may not have made their respective Olympic squads. However, they’ve put together some great seasons. Mikko Rantanen is hoping to hit his stride after injuries derailed his season.
What the Wild Need to do to Find Success
Minnesota knew that it needed to fix its defence and that’s why general manager Bill Guerin made the blockbuster deal for Hughes. The Wild now boast their own strong blueline group with names like Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon, and Jacob Middleton. This move was partially made in order to combat Dallas’ strong defensive corps.
Minnesota is pretty much identical to Dallas in the statistics department. The Wild have the third-best power play unit in the league with a 25.2 conversion rate. They also net an average of 3.27 goals scored per game. Minnesota also matches up well on the defensive end thanks to goalies Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt.
The Wild also have plenty of offensive pop thanks to players like Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. Ryan Hartman also ended the season on a high note and has a bit of edge to his game.
Predictions and Best Bets
It won’t be a fun sight to see one of these talented rosters to bow out after the first round. However, this is the format that the current NHL has to foster divisional rivalries. One team will have plenty of questions to answer when this series is over.
Dallas has plenty of young firepower to keep up with a dynamic Minnesota attack. However, the Stars have more success in the postseason. One other thing that is in Dallas’ favour is how strong it is on the faceoff dot. Minnesota was 30th in that department this season.
Oettinger and the Stars also have plenty to prove after losing to Edmonton the last two seasons. The American goalie will also want to prove that he shouldn’t have been pulled in that fateful final game. He has a little more experience than the Wild’s Swedish goaltending duo.
These teams are matched up pretty evenly and we’re hoping that translates into a long series. However, the Stars should get past the first round and the rival Wild.
Kaprizov as the series leading scorer at +185 could be worth a shout. However, Robertson at +310 as the series leading scorer is a tempting proposition.
Prediction: Stars win in seven games.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
