Stars Edge Wild in Tense Playoff-Style Clash

Robertson's late game-winner caps off a hard-fought victory for Dallas

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game with fragmented, overlapping planes of ice, players, and a puck, rendered in the vibrant colors of the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild uniforms.The intense, back-and-forth battle between the Stars and Wild showcased the playoff-caliber talent and composure of both teams.Dallas Today

In a high-intensity matchup that showcased the playoff-caliber talent and composure of both teams, the Dallas Stars edged out the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on a late third-period goal by Jason Robertson. The game was a showcase of Dallas's depth, discipline, and ability to execute under pressure, as they overcame a 3-1 deficit to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the Stars' emergence as a true Stanley Cup contender, with their ability to win tight, high-stakes games against fellow playoff-bound teams like the Wild. The victory demonstrated Dallas's depth, adaptability, and mental toughness - qualities that will be crucial as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The details

The Stars fell behind 3-1 in the second period after goals by Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov, but responded with resilience, scoring three unanswered goals to secure the victory. Jason Robertson's game-winning tally in the third period, set up by a slick pass from Esa Lindell, capped off the comeback. Contributions from secondary scorers like Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, and Colin Blackwell underscored Dallas's offensive depth, while goaltender Jake Oettinger's 27 saves kept the Stars in the game.

  • The Stars fell behind 3-1 in the middle of the second period after Kaprizov's power-play goal.
  • Dallas responded with three unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead in the third period, capped off by Robertson's game-winner.

The players

Jason Robertson

The Stars' leading scorer, Robertson netted the game-winning goal in the third period to complete Dallas's comeback.

Esa Lindell

The Stars defenseman recorded two assists, including the primary helper on Robertson's game-winner.

Kirill Kaprizov

The Wild's star forward scored a power-play goal to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the second period.

Jake Oettinger

The Stars' goaltender made 27 saves to keep his team in the game and help secure the victory.

Filip Gustavsson

The Wild's goaltender made 15 saves but was unable to hold off the Stars' late comeback.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but the guys showed a lot of resilience and composure to come back and get the win. That's the kind of effort and execution we're going to need heading into the playoffs.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Dallas Stars

“It's a tough one to swallow, but we have to give credit to Dallas. They didn't quit and found a way to win a close, hard-fought game. We'll learn from this and be ready for the next time we face them.”

— Dean Evason, Head Coach, Minnesota Wild

What’s next

The Stars and Wild are likely to meet again in the playoffs, setting up a potential postseason rematch between these two Central Division rivals.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Stars' emergence as a true Stanley Cup contender, with their depth, discipline, and ability to execute under pressure proving crucial in a tight, playoff-style victory over a fellow playoff-bound team. Dallas's performance suggests they are building an identity that could make them a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.