The quarterfinal series between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars is arguably the best on paper, and Game 1 between the Central Division powerhouses goes down today at American Airlines Center.
ESPN has live coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.
My Wild vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, April 18 expect Minny to pull off the upset in the series opener.
- UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Wild vs Stars Game 1 prediction
Who will win Wild vs Stars Game 1?
Wild: Dallas will miss two-way center Roope Hintz (lower body) against Minnesota, and the Wild ranked seventh in the NHL in expected goals percentage at 5-on-5 after acquiring superstar winner Quinn Hughes in mid-December. As a result, I like the Wild to win Game 1.
Wild vs Stars best bet: Wild moneyline (+105)
The Dallas Stars limped into the postseason with a 7-5-2 record, and just three of those wins came against postseason teams. More concerning, Dallas ranked 20th in expected goals percentage at five-on-five.
For comparison, the Minnesota Wild ranked fourth in xGF% at 5-on-5 during the same stretch.
As noted, Dallas will be without key center Roope Hintz, and No. 1 defenseman Miro Heiskanen (lower body) is likely to play at less than 100% after missing the final three games of the regular season and being deemed questionable for the series opener.
Stars No. 1 Jake Oettinger is also coming off his worst NHL season with a .899 save percentage and just 23.14 goals saved above expected across 54 starts.
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Wild vs Stars Game 1 same-game parlay
The Wild have played to the Over in 19 of their past 25 road games (+12.45 Units / 45% ROI), and as noted, Oettinger hasn’t been sharp. Of course, Dallas and Minnesota also finished second and third in power-play percentage while respectively averaging 3.33 and 3.27 goals per game.
Turning to the final leg of this same-game parlay, Minny winger Matt Boldy ranked in the 98th percentile of shots on goal while recording three or more in 48 of 76 games. He’s also a primary shooter on the No. 1 power-play unit and posted a solid 51.4 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five to pace Wild forwards.
Wild vs Stars SGP
- Wild moneyline
- Over 5.5
- Matt Boldy Over 2.5 shots
Wild vs Stars Game 1 goal scorer pick
Joel Eriksson Ek (+325)
Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek has only scored twice with a 4.6 shooting percentage across his past 17 games despite piling up an impressive 7.96 expected goals and 29 high-danger scoring chances.
There’s statistical correction coming in the goals column for Eriksson Ek considering he’s been dangerous and also posted an 11.3 SH% across 387 games since the beginning of the 2020 campaign.
Wild vs Stars odds for Game 1
- Moneyline: Minnesota +100 | Dallas -120
- Puck Line: Minnesota +1.5 (-235) | Dallas -1.5 (+186)
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-104) | Under 6 (-118)
Wild vs Stars trend
The Stars have only covered the puck line in five of their last 20 games (-9.05 Units / -40% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Stars.
How to watch Wild vs Stars Game 1
| Location | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX |
| Date | Saturday, April 19, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 5:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN, SN |
Wild vs Stars latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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