Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/09/2026

Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Venue:  American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Where to Watch:  ESPN+, Hulu

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Wild +110, Stars -130; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Wild +110, Stars -130; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Wild +110, Stars -130; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Minnesota Wild:  45-21-12 (3rd place, Central Division)

Dallas Stars:  46-20-12 (2nd place, Central Division)

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Minnesota Wild:  7-3-0 last 10

Dallas Stars:  3-5-2 last 10

The Wild are entering this game with 102 points, a 45-21-12 record overall, and they are 23-11-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Seattle Kraken in their last game, winning that one at home 5-2. Joel Eriksson Ek, Marcus Johansson, Matt Boldy, Marcus Foligno, and Vladimir Tarasenko each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Joel Eriksson Ek led the team in assists with 2 while Kirill Kaprizov led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Jesper Wallstedt was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 27 shots with 25 saves and a .926 save percentage. Their offense has scored 261 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 225 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.

The Stars are entering this game with 104 points, a 46-20-12 record overall, and they are 24-11-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Calgary Flames in their last game, winning that one at home 4-3 in overtime. Wyatt Johnston led the team in goals scored with 2 while Jason Robertson and Justin Hryckowian each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen, Nils Lundkvist, Thomas Harley, and Tyler Myers each led the team in assists with 1 while Jason Robertson led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Jake Oettinger was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 20 shots with 17 saves and a .850 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 262 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 214 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Wild listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Wild have looked great in their games this season with their 45-21-12 record overall which has them in the top half of their division in the West. They have been a great road team too with their 23-11-4 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Stars have looked great in their games this season with their 46-20-12 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the West with one of the best records in the entire NHL. They have looked great on home ice too with their 24-11-4 home record this season. The Stars have been one of the best teams in the NHL all season and they had a big lead over the Wild in 3rd place, but lately they haven't looked that good as they have been dealing with injuries and now their lead over the Wild has evaporated. They are off a 4-3 win over the Flames in their last one, but even that win was a struggle as they needed OT to beat one of the worst teams in the West. They are also 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and the Wild have been rolling into this one. The Wild are off a 5-2 win over the Kraken in their last one and they have a lot of momentum on their side as they have been crushing opponents lately. They are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and they have won 4 games in a row now. This is a big game for the Wild to catch the Stars in the standings and steal the home advantage in their first round series. Both of these teams have been 2 of the best teams in the NHL all year, but the Wild have looked a lot better as a team over the last 2 weeks while the Stars have been coasting their way to the playoffs. The best way to place a bet here is on the Wild to win this game. 

Wild Stars Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Thursday, April 9, 2026 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Wild 3 Stars 1.

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Minnesota Wild: 48-35 (+15.8 units) on the moneyline in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 70-68 (+7.9 units) on the moneyline against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game. 22-17 (+9 units) on the moneyline against good defensive teams - opponents average 26.5 shots on goal or less. 33-26 UNDER versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 0.5+ goals/game.

Dallas Stars: 97-72 (-5.2 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -200 or less. 68-70 (-18.1 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 59-42 (-14 units) on the moneyline against poor defensive teams - opponents average 29.5+ shots on goal. 37-29 UNDER revenging a same season loss vs opponent.

Minnesota Wild:  Z. Bogosian (D) Day To Day - Undisclosed.

Dallas Stars:  N. Bastian (RW) Out - Hand. R. Faksa (C) Out - Upper-body. M. Bunting (LW) Out - Lower Body. S. Steel (C) Out - Hip. R. Hintz (C) Out - Lower Body. T. Seguin (C) Out For Season - ACL.

“We learned some lessons last time we played them (Dallas eliminated Minnesota in six games in the first round in 2022-23). We know that they’re a really good team, and so are we. But they have some lethal weapons, and we’re just more educated, more experienced going into this series than we were before.” - Marcus Foligno after their win against the Kraken in their game on Tuesday.

“I don’t think there will be a lack of focus for the Minnesota game, but the dig-in part was encouraging as we go into the Minnesota game because it makes you aware of what your mindset needs to be going into that game.” - Glen Gulutzan after his team’s win against the Flames in their game on Tuesday. 

LW Kirill Kaprizov

C Ryan Hartman

RW Mats Zuccarello

LD Quinn Hughes

RD Brock Faber

G Jesper Wallstedt

LW Jason Robertson

C Wyatt Johnston

RW Mikko Rantanen

LD Esa Lindell

RD Miro Heiskanen

G Jake Oettinger

Points: Kirill Kaprizov (87)

Goals: Kirill Kaprizov (43)

Assists: Quinn Hughes (47)

GAA: Filip Gustavsson (2.59)

Points: Jason Robertson (91)

Goals: Wyatt Johnston (43)

Assists: Miro Heiskanen (54)

GAA: Casey DeSmith (2.34)

Coaches:

Minnesota Wild: John Hynes (3rd season)

Dallas Stars: Glen Gulutzan (1st season)