Minnesota Wild Seek Playoff First Against Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars face familiar postseason challenge after loss to Minnesota Wild.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:36am

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a hockey game between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the teams' official colors.The Minnesota Wild's playoff clash with the Dallas Stars promises a geometrically-charged clash of styles and strategies.Dallas Today

The Minnesota Wild have a chance to achieve a historic NHL playoff milestone after defeating the Dallas Stars, who now find themselves in a familiar postseason position following the loss.

Why it matters

The Wild have never advanced past the second round of the NHL playoffs, while the Stars have become a perennial postseason contender, though they've struggled to make deep runs in recent years.

The details

The Wild defeated the Stars in their recent matchup, putting Dallas in a precarious position heading into the playoffs. Minnesota now has an opportunity to break through and reach new heights in the postseason, something the franchise has yet to accomplish.

  • The Wild defeated the Stars on April 18, 2026.

The players

Minnesota Wild

An NHL hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Dallas Stars

An NHL hockey team based in Dallas, Texas.

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What’s next

The Wild and Stars will face off in the first round of the 2026 NHL playoffs, with the winner advancing to the second round.

The takeaway

This matchup represents a chance for the Minnesota Wild to break through and reach new heights in the playoffs, while the Dallas Stars look to overcome their recent postseason struggles.