Wild fall short to Stars in playoff type atmosphere

Minnesota drops crucial game in Dallas, trailing Stars by 4 points in standings

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:30am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, capturing the intensity and drama of the competition.The Wild's playoff push hits a snag as they fall short against the division-leading Stars in a high-intensity matchup.Dallas Today

The Minnesota Wild fell to the Dallas Stars 5-4 on Thursday night in a high-intensity matchup with playoff implications. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson struggled, saving only 15 of 20 shots, while star forward Kirill Kaprizov scored two power play goals to bring his season total to 45. The Wild went 3-for-5 on the power play, but ultimately came up short against their division rival.

Why it matters

This was a crucial game for the Wild as they try to catch the Stars in the standings with just three games left in the regular season. The loss drops Minnesota four points behind Dallas, making their final stretch run more challenging as they fight for playoff positioning.

The details

Kirill Kaprizov scored two power play goals for the Wild, increasing his season total to 45. Quinn Hughes added a goal and an assist, while Ryan Hartman also scored on the power play. Mats Zuccarello recorded three assists and Matt Boldy had two. However, goaltender Filip Gustavsson struggled, saving only 15 of the 20 shots he faced.

  • The game took place on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • The Wild will continue their road trip on Saturday, April 12, 2026 against the Nashville Predators.

The players

Kirill Kaprizov

A star forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored two power play goals in the game, bringing his season total to 45.

Filip Gustavsson

The Wild's goaltender who struggled in net, saving only 15 of 20 shots faced.

Quinn Hughes

A Wild player who scored a goal and added an assist in the game.

Ryan Hartman

A Wild player who scored a power play goal in the game.

Mats Zuccarello

A Wild player who recorded three assists in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We have to be better in net and capitalize on our chances. This was a tough loss, but we'll regroup and come out stronger on Saturday.”

— Kirill Kaprizov, Forward

What’s next

The Wild will continue their road trip on Saturday, April 12, 2026 against the Nashville Predators. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 pm with full game coverage available on FanDuel Sports Network North.

The takeaway

This loss to the Stars is a setback for the Wild as they try to catch their division rival in the standings with just three games left. Minnesota will need to regroup quickly and find a way to win their remaining games to secure a favorable playoff position.