Wild Seek Home-Ice Advantage in Pivotal Matchup Against Stars

Minnesota looks to gain ground in standings ahead of looming playoff series

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:19pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game in progress, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, conveying the high-stakes, physical nature of the matchup between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars.The upcoming playoff clash between the Wild and Stars promises to be an intense, physical battle as the two teams jockey for home-ice advantage.Dallas Today

The Minnesota Wild are chasing down the Dallas Stars in the standings, with just two points separating the two teams heading into their crucial matchup on Thursday night. While a playoff series between the two Central Division rivals is already locked in, the Wild are hoping to secure home-ice advantage by overtaking the Stars in the standings. Minnesota has already sent a message to Dallas with a big win earlier in the season, and veteran forward Marcus Foligno is making it clear that the Wild are ready to physically challenge the Stars ahead of the postseason.

Why it matters

This game holds major implications for the upcoming playoff series between the Wild and Stars. Minnesota is looking to gain the upper hand by tying Dallas in the standings and potentially securing home-ice advantage. The game also serves as a preview of the physical, intense style of play that fans can expect when the two teams meet in the playoffs.

The details

The Wild have been chasing down the Stars over the last week, with their 4-3 win over Dallas on March 21st kicking off a surge that has Minnesota just two points back in the standings. While the Wild stumbled in a few spots, they now have a chance to tie the Stars in the standings with a win on Thursday. Minnesota has already shown it can physically match up with Dallas, and veteran forward Marcus Foligno has made it clear the Wild are ready to bring a playoff-style intensity to this regular season matchup.

  • The Wild and Stars will face off on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in Dallas.
  • Minnesota's 4-3 win over Dallas on March 21st kicked off their push to catch the Stars in the standings.

The players

Marcus Foligno

A veteran forward for the Minnesota Wild who has been vocal about the team's physical approach to the Stars ahead of the playoffs.

Quinn Hughes

A new addition to the Wild's roster who will be making his first playoff appearance.

Vladimir Tarasenko

A key veteran forward for the Wild who is hitting his stride at the right time, bringing a 23-goal season and a three-game point streak into the matchup with the Stars.

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What they’re saying

“That pretty much sums it all up right there, but it also hammers home just how important this game is to the Wild seperate from the fact that they can tie Dallas in the standings.”

— Marcus Foligno, Forward

What’s next

If the Wild are able to tie the Stars in the standings with a win on Thursday, the two teams will still be separated by a tiebreaker, leaving the home-ice advantage for the first-round playoff series still up for grabs. The final games of the regular season will be crucial in determining where the majority of the series will be played.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Wild and Stars is a preview of what's to come in the playoffs, with both teams looking to gain an early physical and mental edge. Minnesota has the opportunity to tie Dallas in the standings and potentially secure home-ice advantage, which could prove crucial in a tight playoff series between these two evenly matched Central Division rivals.