| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIN | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| DAL | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Wild, First Round Game 1, beat Stars 6–1 at American Airlines Center on April 18, 2026.
The Minnesota Wild took a commanding lead in the first round of the playoffs with a decisive 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. This marks game one of the best-of-seven series, and the Wild now lead the series 1-0. With this substantial win, the pressure shifts squarely onto the Stars as they aim to bounce back in game two.
The game shifted dramatically in the second period when the Wild scored three consecutive goals within an eight-minute span. Starting with Kirill Kaprizov's goal just 56 seconds into the period, the Wild quickly established control. Ryan Hartman followed up with another goal shortly after, making it 3-0. Matt Boldy capped off this scoring spree, pushing the lead to 4-0 before the Stars could respond. This period showcased a dominant performance from the Wild, effectively snuffing out any momentum the Stars hoped to build.
The Wild’s offense was bolstered by key contributions from several players. Joel Eriksson Ek shone brightly, scoring twice and earning assists on both of Kaprizov's goals. Kaprizov himself was active throughout, registering both a goal and two assists. Matt Boldy also made his mark with two goals, proving to be a thorn in the Stars' side.
Dallas did manage to get on the board late in the second period thanks to Jason Robertson, who was assisted by Wyatt Johnston and Miro Heiskanen. However, the lone goal was not nearly enough to shift the tide back in their favor.
In terms of overall play, the Wild's physicality was evident as they out-hit the Stars 49 to 39. With a strong showing on special teams, the Wild converted on two of their four power-play opportunities, further contributing to their emphatic win.
The Stars must regroup quickly as they prepare for game two in this critical series. With their playoff hopes at stake, they need to address their defensive lapses and find ways to capitalize on their scoring chances. The Wild will look to build on this momentum as they aim to extend their series lead. Game two promises to be a pivotal matchup, and the Stars will be eager to turn the tide in front of their home fans.
Wild won 6–1.
The final score was Wild 6, Stars 1.
Joel Eriksson Ek (2), Matt Boldy (2), Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman.
Jason Robertson.
Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves on 28 shots (.964 save percentage).
Jake Oettinger made 23 saves on 28 shots (.821 save percentage).
At American Airlines Center in Dallas, the Stars home rink.
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