Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars gets Game 2 of the first-round series on Monday, April 20, 2026. Minnesota leads the series 1-0 after a 6-1 win in Dallas on April 18.
Dallas is priced as a modest home favorite on the moneyline (-134), with Minnesota coming back at +112. The total is 5.5, shaded to the over.
From the regular season, Dallas finished 50-20-12 (112 points) and Minnesota finished 46-24-12 (104 points), setting up a Central Division matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams.
Odds & Game Info
This table shows the current lines from BetOnline.
| Game info | Spread (puck line) | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 20, 2026 American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX) Scheduled start: 9:30 PM ET | Wild +1.5 (-220) Stars -1.5 (+176) | Wild +112 Stars -134 | Over 5.5 (-130) Under 5.5 (+106) |
Odds as of 7:12 AM ET on April 20, 2026.
Starting goalies: Not confirmed as of this morning. In Game 1, Jesper Wallstedt started for Minnesota (27 saves on 28 shots) and Jake Oettinger started for Dallas.
Injuries (notable): Dallas lists Roope Hintz (OUT) and Nathan Bastian (OUT). Minnesota lists Charlie Stramel (OUT).
Team Records
This table summarizes overall form entering Game 2.
| Team | Record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 46-24-12 (Road: 23-14-4) | 6-4-0 |
| Dallas Stars | 50-20-12 (Home: 26-11-4) | 7-2-1 |
Team Stats
This table highlights the core scoring and special teams profile for both teams.
| Team | Goals per game | Goals allowed per game | Power play % | Penalty kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 3.27 | 2.87 | 25.2% | 79.8% |
| Dallas Stars | 3.33 | 2.71 | 28.6% | 80.3% |
Shot volume (per game): Minnesota 29.2 shots for and 29.4 shots against; Dallas 25.3 shots for and 26.2 shots against.
Team Stats reference: Team stats
Recaps
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota took Game 1 in Dallas 6-1, winning the special-teams battle with two power-play goals from Joel Eriksson Ek and getting a 27-save performance from Jesper Wallstedt. The Wild narrowly won the shots battle (29-28) but played the more physical game (49 hits).
From a style standpoint, Minnesota’s profile is built on above-average offense (3.27 GF/G) and an elite power play (25.2%). If Dallas takes penalties again, Minnesota has the tools to punish it.
Dallas Stars
Dallas opened the series with a 6-1 loss despite keeping the shot count basically even (28 shots). Their lone goal came on the power play (Jason Robertson), and they were out-hit 49-39, which mattered in terms of puck battles and time spent defending.
Dallas’ regular-season base is strong at both ends (3.33 GF/G, 2.71 GA/G), with a top-tier power play (28.6%). The immediate issue for Game 2 is lineup availability, with Roope Hintz listed out, which can thin the middle of the ice and reduce finishing depth.
Matchup Keys
- Discipline and special teams: Minnesota (25.2% PP) vs. Dallas (80.3% PK). Game 1 swung on Minnesota’s 2-for-4 power play.
- Dallas shot profile: The Stars generate just 25.3 shots per game, so they typically need finishing and power-play conversion to stay efficient offensively.
- Game-state control: Dallas allows only 2.71 goals per game and 26.2 shots against; that defensive baseline is their clearest path to leveling the series.
- Minnesota road comfort: The Wild went 23-14-4 on the road, so the venue alone is less likely to force a major tactical shift.
- Recent form: Dallas was 7-2-1 in its last 10 regular-season games; Minnesota was 6-4-0, and already has the early series edge.
Betting Trends
- Dallas was 26-11-4 at home in the regular season.
- Minnesota was 23-14-4 on the road in the regular season.
- Dallas finished the regular season 7-2-1 over its last 10 games.
- Minnesota finished the regular season 6-4-0 over its last 10 games.
- Both teams played Game 1 in Dallas on April 18, so Game 2 is a no-travel spot with a day off in between.
- The Wild’s power play (25.2%) and the Stars’ power play (28.6%) both profile as game-shaping units if penalties pile up.
- Dallas has the lower goals-allowed rate (2.71 GA/G vs. 2.87 GA/G), which typically supports tighter game scripts at home.
- Game 1 was shot-neutral (Wild 29, Stars 28) but score-skewed, a setup that often leads to market overreaction on totals and sides.
Best Bet
Under 5.5 (+106)
Both teams come in with strong defensive baselines (Dallas 2.71 GA/G, Minnesota 2.87 GA/G) and relatively modest shot environments, especially Dallas (25.3 shots for per game). The clearest over-path is special teams, so the under case is built around Dallas tightening discipline after allowing two power-play goals in Game 1. With Roope Hintz listed out, Dallas also has less margin for error to turn limited shot volume into a big scoring night.
Predicted Score
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Stars 3, Wild 2.
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