Matt Boldy, Wild make big statement, rout Stars in series opener

Minnesota takes Game 1 with dominant 6-1 win over Dallas

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic hockey action of the Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars playoff game, with sharp planes of blue, green, and red representing the players, puck, and arena.The Minnesota Wild's decisive Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars showcases their playoff prowess through a cubist deconstruction of the intense on-ice action.Dallas Today

Matt Boldy had two goals and an assist as the visiting Minnesota Wild routed the Dallas Stars 6-1 in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, Ryan Hartman, and Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Wild, who are seeking their first playoff series win since 2015. Rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves in the victory. Jason Robertson scored the lone goal for the Stars, who lost Game 1 of their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche last season before rebounding to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Why it matters

The Wild's dominant performance in Game 1 sends a strong message that they are a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs this year. Minnesota has struggled to advance past the first round in recent years, so a convincing win over a tough opponent like the Stars could be a turning point. The loss is a setback for Dallas, which will need to regroup quickly ahead of Game 2 on Monday.

The details

The Wild struck first when Joel Eriksson Ek scored on the power play in the first period. Minnesota then scored three unanswered goals in the second period, with Kaprizov, Hartman, and Boldy finding the back of the net. Robertson got the Stars on the board late in the second, but Eriksson Ek and Boldy added third-period goals to seal the victory for the Wild.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Eriksson Ek scored the opening goal at 5:35 of the first period.
  • Kaprizov scored 56 seconds into the second period to make it 2-0.
  • Hartman scored at 3:28 of the second period to extend the lead to 3-0.
  • Boldy scored at 6:30 of the second period to make it 4-0.
  • Robertson scored on the power play at 15:10 of the second period to cut the deficit to 4-1.
  • Eriksson Ek scored a power-play goal at 8:13 of the third period to make it 5-1.
  • Boldy scored an empty-net goal with 3:08 remaining in the third period to make the final score 6-1.

The players

Matt Boldy

A forward for the Minnesota Wild who had two goals and an assist in the Game 1 victory.

Kirill Kaprizov

A forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored a goal and had two assists in the Game 1 win.

Joel Eriksson Ek

A forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored two goals in the Game 1 rout.

Jason Robertson

A forward for the Dallas Stars who scored the lone goal for his team in the Game 1 loss.

Jesper Wallstedt

The rookie goaltender for the Minnesota Wild who made 27 saves in the Game 1 victory.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really set the tone early. That's the kind of performance we need to keep this going.”

— Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild forward

“They just came out and dominated us. We have to regroup and be ready for Game 2 on Monday.”

— Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars forward

What’s next

Game 2 of the series will be played on Monday, April 21, 2026 in Dallas.

The takeaway

The Minnesota Wild sent a clear message with their dominant Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars. If they can continue to play with that level of intensity and execution, they have a real chance to finally break through and win their first playoff series since 2015. For the Stars, this lopsided loss is a wake-up call, and they will need to make significant adjustments ahead of Game 2 to avoid falling into a deep hole in the series.