Dallas Stars Defeat Toronto Maple Leafs in Prime Monday Night Hockey

The Stars lock up home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a win over the eliminated Maple Leafs.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competing forces of a hockey game, with sharp angles and overlapping planes of color representing the intensity and unpredictability of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and strategic maneuvering between the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs in their final Monday Night Hockey matchup of the season.Dallas Today

The Dallas Stars defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 in the final edition of Monday Night Hockey on Prime. The Stars, who have already clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, rested some key players but still managed to come away with the victory. The Maple Leafs, who were eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the season, are facing an offseason of uncertainty with the future of several players and the head coach in question.

Why it matters

This game had major playoff implications for the Stars, who are preparing to face the Minnesota Wild in the first round. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, are looking ahead to the offseason and potential changes to the roster and coaching staff after a disappointing season.

The details

The Stars were led by Jason Robertson, who scored a goal and added an assist. Rookie Wyatt Johnston also found the back of the net for Dallas. For the Maple Leafs, William Nylander had a goal and an assist, while John Tavares scored his 30th goal of the season. Goaltender Jake Oettinger made 32 saves for the Stars, while Joseph Woll stopped 28 shots for the Maple Leafs.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 14, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
  • The Stars have three consecutive victories entering this matchup.
  • The Maple Leafs were one of the first teams eliminated from playoff contention earlier this season.

The players

Glen Gulutzan

The head coach of the Dallas Stars, who could decide to rest some players with the team's playoff position already determined.

Jake Oettinger

The starting goaltender for the Dallas Stars, who made 32 saves in the game.

Jason Robertson

The leading scorer for the Dallas Stars, who scored a goal and added an assist in the game.

Craig Berube

The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose future is in question after the team's disappointing season.

William Nylander

One of the few bright spots for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, scoring a goal and an assist in the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to play hard and stay focused, even with our playoff position already secured.”

— Glen Gulutzan, Head Coach, Dallas Stars

“It's been a frustrating season, but we're going to use these final games to evaluate our roster and make the necessary changes for next year.”

— Craig Berube, Head Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs

What’s next

The Dallas Stars will face the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Toronto Maple Leafs will begin their offseason with decisions to make regarding the future of the roster and coaching staff.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with the Stars preparing for a deep playoff run and the Maple Leafs looking to regroup after a disappointing season. The Stars' depth and resilience proved too much for the struggling Maple Leafs, setting the stage for an exciting first-round matchup against the Wild.