- Matchup: Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars
- Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+100) Stars (-120)
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The Dallas Stars (50-20-12) are set to host the Minnesota Wild (46-24-12) at the American Airlines Center this Saturday for Game 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs. The betting odds put the Wild at +100, while the Stars are favored at -120. The over/under line for this contest is established at 5.5.
In their previous outing, the Minnesota Wild emerged victorious against the Ducks with a score of 3-2. They spent 8 minutes in the penalty box during the match and had a single power play opportunity, which they failed to convert. The Wild managed to score on 3 out of 20 shots, yielding an average offensive performance in their latest victory.
Opponents have been awarded 213 power play chances against the Wild (29th in the league), converting 43 times. Minnesota’s defense has faced 2,410 shots against, maintaining a .902 save percentage. Offensively, the Wild have taken 2,393 shots, achieving an 11.2% shooting percentage. At even strength, they have surrendered 192 goals while netting 203. With 258 power play opportunities, they have scored 65 goals, resulting in a 25.19% success rate. Throughout the season, Minnesota has earned 104 points, yielding a points percentage of .634. The team has accumulated a total of 268 goals (10th in the NHL) while allowing 235 goals against.
In goal for the Wild will be Filip Gustavsson, who boasts 128 quality starts and a quality start rate of .610. Over his career, Gustavsson has a .911 save percentage from 9,081 minutes played, preventing 5,784 out of 6,352 shots faced. Opponents have scored 568 goals against him, giving him an average of 2.70 goals against per game. Gustavsson’s overall NHL record stands at 111-74-26, with 210 starts across 219 games.
Meanwhile, the Stars last faced the Sabres, resulting in a 3-3 tie. Dallas scored 3 goals from 28 shots and was awarded 3 power play chances, successfully converting once.
Dallas has netted 202 goals at even strength and ranks first in the league with 71 power play goals. Their total shots on goal stand at 2,074 (30th in the league), holding a shooting percentage of 13.16% while allowing 2,145 shots against. This season, the Stars racked up 273 goals, 112 points, and a points percentage of .683. They have surrendered 222 goals, comprised of 173 at even strength and 49 while short-handed. The Stars have capitalized on 248 power play opportunities, achieving a success rate of 28.63%, and their penalty kill efficiency sits at 80.32% against 249 attempts, with a save percentage of 89.7%.
For the Stars, Jake Oettinger is expected in goal. His opponents average 2.52 goals per game, with Oettinger having allowed 746 goals total. He has a quality start rate of 58.4% and has made 173 quality starts throughout his career. With 296 game starts and 13,436 minutes on the ice, Oettinger holds a career record of 184-78-33, having played in 305 games. He has made 7,530 saves on 8,276 shot attempts, leading to a save percentage of .910.
Who will prevail in tonight’s NHL matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Pick: Take Dallas (-120)
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