Minnesota heads to Dallas for Game 5 with the series tied 2-2, and the underlying story has been split production: the Wild have owned 5-on-5 scoring, while the Stars have tilted the series on special teams.
Dallas is a modest home favorite on the moneyline, with a 5.5 total shaded to the over. If Minnesota gets key forwards back, it raises their power-play ceiling, but they still have to solve a Dallas unit that has been the difference so far.
Odds & Game Info
Odds are from BetOnline. Odds as of 6:40 a.m. ET on April 28, 2026.
| Market | Minnesota Wild | Dallas Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-220) | -1.5 (+176) |
| Moneyline | +108 | -130 |
| Total (5.5) | Over 5.5 (-122) | Under 5.5 (+100) |
- When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (7:00 p.m. CT, 8:00 p.m. ET)
- Where: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
- Series: Tied 2-2
- Starting goalies: Minnesota has indicated Jesper Wallstedt remains the starter; Dallas has not officially confirmed a starter as of this writing.
- Injuries (Wild): Mats Zuccarello (upper body) and Yakov Trenin (upper body) were trending toward possible returns and are questionable.
- Injuries (Stars): Nils Lundkvist is out (facial laceration). Roope Hintz (lower body) has been unlikely for Game 5 per prior update.
Team Records
Here’s a snapshot of each team’s regular-season profile.
| Team | Record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 46-24-12 | 6-4-0 |
| Dallas Stars | 50-20-12 | 7-2-1 |
Team Stats
These are full-season rates used for this matchup.
| Team | Goals per game | Goals allowed per game | Power play % | Penalty kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 3.32 | 2.93 | 25.2% | 79.8% |
| Dallas Stars | 3.40 | 2.76 | 28.6% | 80.3% |
Recaps
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota evened the series in Game 4 with a 3-2 overtime win, getting 43 saves from Jesper Wallstedt and rallying late to force extra time. The Wild went 0-for-4 on the power play in that game, and they have gone 0-for-10 on their most recent power-play chances in the series, which is a major issue if they are chasing the game. If Zuccarello returns, it directly targets the biggest weakness in their current profile: clean puck movement and a slot threat on the top unit.
Dallas Stars
Dallas has leaned hard on special teams: through four games, the Stars have outscored Minnesota 8-3 on the power play while being outscored 9-3 at 5-on-5. Jake Oettinger faced a heavy workload in Game 4 (40 saves), and Dallas also played a chunk of that game with five defensemen after Nils Lundkvist left and is now confirmed out for Game 5. With Roope Hintz still unlikely, Dallas’s clearest scoring edge remains their top-end power play and the ability to earn and convert chances.
Matchup Keys
- Special teams are deciding the series. Dallas is +5 on power-play goals (8-3), while Minnesota’s man-advantage has stalled badly over its most recent opportunities.
- 5-on-5 scoring points to Minnesota, but can it translate on the road? The Wild are +6 at even strength (9-3), yet Game 5 shifts back to Dallas where last change can help the Stars manage matchups.
- Goaltending volume and rebound control. Wallstedt (43 saves in Game 4) and Oettinger (40 saves in Game 4) have both shown they can hold up under playoff shot volume, which matters with a 5.5 total.
- Injury leverage. If Zuccarello plays, Minnesota’s power play should look more like its 25.2% regular-season version. Dallas being without Lundkvist tightens their blue-line rotation.
- Shot profile and pace. Regular-season averages suggest Minnesota generates more shots per game than Dallas, so the Stars’ path is often efficiency plus special teams rather than volume.
Betting Trends
- Three of the first four games in the series have reached 6+ total goals (6-1, 4-2, 4-3), with the only under being Game 4 (3-2).
- The last two games in the series have gone to overtime.
- Minnesota is 0-for-10 on its most recent power-play chances in the series.
- Dallas has scored multiple power-play goals in multiple games in this series and is 8-for-19 on the power play overall.
- Dallas has been the stronger recent form team entering the postseason (7-2-1 last 10) versus Minnesota (6-4-0).
- Dallas was elite at home in the regular season (26-11-4), and Minnesota was a strong road team as well (23-14-4).
- Dallas owns the regular-season special-teams edge on paper too (28.6% power play, 80.3% penalty kill).
- Minnesota’s path to an upset is clearer at 5-on-5, where they have a 9-3 goal edge in the series at even strength.
Best Bet
Under 5.5 (+100). Dallas’s power play has inflated scoring in this series, but that is also the noisiest component game to game, especially if whistle rate normalizes. At even strength, Minnesota has created the more consistent edge, but both goalies are seeing and stopping high volume, as shown by the 83 combined saves in Game 4. With the series effectively a best-of-3 and Dallas likely to prioritize structure at home, the under at plus money is the cleaner price than laying a short moneyline.
Predicted Score
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Stars 3, Wild 2
21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.