Robertson's Late Goal Lifts Stars Over Wild in Playoff Preview

The two Central Division rivals are locked in as first-round playoff opponents, but home-ice advantage is still up for grabs.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:28am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the raw energy and physicality of a hockey game, the players' forms dissolved into unrecognizable splatters of paint.The heated battle between the Stars and Wild previews an intense first-round playoff series to come.Dallas Today

Jason Robertson scored the game-winning goal with 9:25 left to lift the Dallas Stars to a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild in a physical and entertaining preview of their upcoming first-round playoff series. The win keeps the Stars four points ahead of the Wild in the standings, with both teams having three games left to determine home-ice advantage.

Why it matters

This matchup between the Stars and Wild is an important one, as the two Central Division rivals are already locked in as first-round playoff opponents. The outcome of this game could have major implications on home-ice advantage for that postseason series.

The details

Robertson's 42nd goal of the season proved to be the difference, as the Stars held on for the victory despite a late push from the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov scored two power-play goals for Minnesota, matching his franchise record with 19 on the season. The Wild had their four-game winning streak snapped, suffering their first regulation loss when leading going into the third period since March 2024.

  • The game was played on April 10, 2026.
  • The Stars and Wild have three regular-season games left to determine home-ice advantage for their first-round playoff series.

The players

Jason Robertson

The Dallas Stars forward scored the game-winning goal with 9:25 left to lift his team to victory.

Kirill Kaprizov

The Minnesota Wild forward scored two power-play goals, matching his franchise record with 19 on the season.

Jake Oettinger

The Dallas Stars goaltender made 27 saves to earn the win.

Filip Gustavsson

The Minnesota Wild goaltender stopped 15 shots in the loss.

Miro Heiskanen

The Dallas Stars defenseman left the game after being knocked hard into the boards late in the first period.

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What they’re saying

“We must have left everything out on the ice tonight. It was a hard-fought battle, but we came up short. We'll regroup and be ready for the playoffs.”

— Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild Forward

“This was a huge win for us, especially with home-ice advantage still up for grabs. We knew this was going to be a physical, intense game, and I'm proud of the way our guys battled and came through in the end.”

— Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars Forward

What’s next

The Stars and Wild will play their final three regular-season games, with the outcome determining home-ice advantage for their first-round playoff series.

The takeaway

This hard-fought battle between the Stars and Wild showcased the intensity and competitiveness that fans can expect when these two Central Division rivals meet in the playoffs. The race for home-ice advantage remains tight, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season.