Wild Stars Hockey Playoff Clash Heats Up

Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars face off in intense first-round NHL playoff series

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:09am

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An abstract painting featuring bold, sweeping brushstrokes in neon shades of blue, green, and red, conveying the raw energy and movement of a high-intensity NHL playoff hockey game.The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars battle it out in a heated first-round NHL playoff series, with the intensity of the action captured in a dynamic, expressionist painting.Dallas Today

The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars are locked in a heated first-round NHL playoff series, with the Wild taking Game 1 on a power play goal from center Joel Eriksson Ek. The two teams are battling it out in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Why it matters

The Wild-Stars matchup is a high-stakes clash between two talented Western Conference teams looking to advance deep into the NHL postseason. The outcome of this series could have major implications for the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The details

In Game 1, the Wild jumped out to an early lead when Eriksson Ek scored on the power play in the first period. The Stars will look to even the series in the next game as they try to bounce back from the Game 1 loss on home ice.

  • The Wild and Stars faced off in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on April 18, 2026.
  • Game 2 of the series will take place on April 20, 2026 in Dallas.

The players

Joel Eriksson Ek

Minnesota Wild center who scored the game-winning power play goal in Game 1 of the playoff series.

Minnesota Wild

NHL team based in St. Paul, Minnesota that is facing off against the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Dallas Stars

NHL team based in Dallas, Texas that is playing the Minnesota Wild in the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough series against a great team like the Stars. But we came out with a lot of energy and were able to get that early power play goal, which was huge for us.”

— Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild Center

What’s next

The Wild and Stars will face off in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 20, 2026 in Dallas.

The takeaway

This opening-round matchup between the Wild and Stars is shaping up to be an intense and hard-fought series as both teams look to advance in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.