Dallas visits Minnesota for Game 6 of their first-round series on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Minnesota leads the series 3-2 and can advance with a home win, while Dallas needs this one to force a Game 7.
The market has Minnesota favored at -122 on the moneyline with Dallas at +102. The total is 5.5, shaded slightly to the over. Note: the listed NHL start time is 7:30 PM ET (not 7:40 PM ET) at Grand Casino Arena.
Dallas finished the regular season eight points ahead of Minnesota, but at 5-on-5 in this series the Wild have controlled the finishing. That split has pushed most of the betting decision toward whether Dallas can finally generate even-strength scoring or if Minnesota’s edge continues at home.
Odds & Game Info
These odds are from BetOnline. Odds as of 6:52 AM ET on April 30, 2026.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Dallas Stars @ Minnesota Wild |
| Date / Time | April 30, 2026, 7:30 PM ET |
| Arena | Grand Casino Arena |
| Series | Minnesota leads 3-2 (Game 6) |
Here is the current board.
| Market | Dallas | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-250) | -1.5 (+198) |
| Moneyline | +102 | -122 |
| Total (5.5) | Over (-115) | Under (-105) |
Team Records
Regular-season form and splits are below.
| Team | Record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | 50-20-12 | 7-2-1 |
| Minnesota Wild | 46-24-12 | 6-4-0 |
Home/road context: Dallas went 24-9-8 on the road in the regular season, and Minnesota went 23-10-8 at home. In this series specifically, Minnesota is 1-1 at home and Dallas is 1-1 on the road.
Team Stats
Season-long scoring, special teams, and shot rates are below.
| Team | Goals per game | Goals allowed per game | Power play % | Penalty kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | 3.33 | 2.71 | 28.6% | 80.3% |
| Minnesota Wild | 3.27 | 2.87 | 25.2% | 79.8% |
Shot volume profile: Minnesota plays the higher-event game (29.2 shots for per game, 29.4 against), while Dallas has been more conservative by rate (25.3 shots for per game, 26.2 against).
Recaps
Dallas Stars
Dallas dropped Game 5 in Dallas, 4-2, and now faces elimination. Through five games, Dallas’ power play has carried the offense (39.1%, 9-for-23 in the series), but the 5-on-5 production has not been there: both teams have 116 shots on goal at 5-on-5, yet Dallas has three 5-on-5 goals to Minnesota’s 11, and the Stars are on a 217:53 stretch without a 5-on-5 goal.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota won Game 5, 4-2, behind a three-point night from Kirill Kaprizov (1G, 2A). Mats Zuccarello returned after missing three games and scored early, and the Wild again won the even-strength battle, which has been the defining edge of the series. Jesper Wallstedt earned the Game 5 win with 20 saves, and Minnesota returns home with a chance to close.
Matchup Keys
- Even-strength finishing: At 5-on-5, shots are even (116-116), but goals are not (MIN 11, DAL 3). Dallas does not need domination, it needs conversion.
- Special teams swing factor: Dallas’ power play is 9-for-23 (39.1%) in the series and Minnesota’s penalty kill is 14-for-23 (60.9%). If Minnesota stays out of the box, it tilts the matchup toward its 5-on-5 edge.
- Shot environment: Minnesota’s regular-season profile allowed more shots (29.4 against per game) than Dallas (26.2). If Dallas can lift its shot volume off a 25.3 SF/G baseline, it raises the upset path.
- Goaltending clarity: Minnesota has leaned on Wallstedt throughout the series, and Dallas has had Oettinger in net for the key minutes. As of this morning, official Game 6 starter confirmations were not available.
- Injury and availability: Dallas is without Roope Hintz (lower body) and Nils Lundkvist (facial laceration, did not travel). Arttu Hyry (lower body) made the trip but is uncertain.
Betting Trends
- Minnesota leads the series 3-2 and is 1-1 at home in the matchup.
- Dallas is 1-1 on the road in the series.
- At 5-on-5 in the series, Minnesota leads 11-3 in goals despite identical 5-on-5 shots on goal (116-116).
- Dallas’ power play is converting at 39.1% in the series (9-for-23).
- Minnesota’s penalty kill is at 60.9% in the series (14-for-23), a pressure point in any Wild moneyline case.
- The Over 5.5 has hit in 4 of the first 5 games of the series.
- Regular season: Dallas went 24-9-8 on the road.
- Regular season: Minnesota went 23-10-8 at home.
Best Bet
Minnesota Wild moneyline (-122)
Minnesota’s 5-on-5 edge is the cleanest, most repeatable signal in this series: same 5-on-5 shot count as Dallas, but a massive goal gap (11-3) and Dallas has not scored 5-on-5 in nearly 11 periods. Dallas can absolutely win if its power play continues to spike, but that is a narrower lane on the road, especially with Hintz still out and Lundkvist unavailable. Back Minnesota to close at home, with the bet hinging most on discipline and avoiding unnecessary penalties.
Predicted Score
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Minnesota 3, Dallas 2.
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