Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Picks and Predictions for Saturday April 18 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 04/18/2026, 01:40 AM ET

The Minnesota Wild travel to American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas to take on the Dallas Stars on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with puck drop set for 5:30 PM ET on ESPN. Dallas enters this Western Conference first-round Game 1 as a -120 favorite on the moneyline, while Minnesota is listed at +100. The puck line has the Stars at -1.5 (+200) and the Wild at +1.5 (-245), with a total set at 5.5 goals. As this playoff series gets underway, be sure to stay updated with the latest insights and trends by checking out free NHL Picks.

Minnesota’s Road-Tested Group Enters the Series

The Minnesota Wild come into this matchup with a 46-24-12 record, including a 23-14-4 mark on the road. Their recent form has been mixed, as they recently won over Anaheim 3-2 and defeated Seattle 5-2, but also dropped games to St. Louis, Nashville, and Dallas in their last five outings. That stretch shows a team capable of scoring but also dealing with inconsistency against stronger competition.

From a statistical perspective, Minnesota averages 3.27 goals per game while allowing 2.87 goals against. They produce 29.2 shots per game and allow 29.4 shots, showing a relatively even balance in shot differential. Their power play has been efficient with 65 goals and a 25.2 percent conversion rate, while their penalty kill sits at 79.8 percent. They have added 7 shorthanded goals and, like their opponent, have not allowed a shorthanded goal this season.

A notable aspect of Minnesota’s profile is their special teams efficiency, particularly on the power play. Their conversion rate above 25 percent provides them with a key scoring opportunity in tight playoff games where even a single advantage can make the difference.

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Dallas Riding Momentum into Game 1 at Home

The Dallas Stars enter the postseason with a strong 50-20-12 record and a solid 26-11-4 record at home. They have been in excellent form recently, winning all five of their last games, including victories over Buffalo, Toronto, the Rangers, Minnesota, and Calgary. This winning streak highlights their ability to perform consistently against a range of opponents heading into the playoffs.

Statistically, Dallas averages 3.33 goals per game while allowing just 2.71 goals against, which is lower than Minnesota’s defensive average. They generate 25.3 shots per game and allow 26.2 shots, indicating a more controlled pace compared to Minnesota’s higher shot volume games. Their power play has been effective with 71 goals and a 28.6 percent success rate, while their penalty kill stands at 80.3 percent. They have also recorded 4 shorthanded goals without allowing any.

One key strength for Dallas is their defensive consistency, as reflected in their lower goals against per game. Combined with their efficient power play, they have shown the ability to capitalize on opportunities while limiting opponent scoring chances, especially during their recent winning streak.

Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Picks and Prediction

Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Pick

Pick: Dallas Stars Moneyline

Dallas enters this game with strong momentum, having won their last five games, including a recent victory over Minnesota. Their lower goals against average and slightly stronger penalty kill give them an edge in controlling the pace of play. Playing at home, where they hold a 26-11-4 record, further supports the Stars as the preferred side in this opening matchup of the series.

Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Total Pick

Pick: Under 5.5

I’m leaning toward the under in this matchup because both teams have shown solid defensive numbers, particularly Dallas with a 2.71 goals against average. While Minnesota can generate offense, their recent losses suggest they can be contained by structured teams. With both teams also not allowing shorthanded goals, this game sets up for a controlled, lower-scoring playoff atmosphere.

Final Score Prediction: Dallas Stars 3 – Minnesota Wild 2