Wild vs. Stars Prediction & Picks - NHL Playoffs First Round Game 1

The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild square off in Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs First Round at American Airlines Center on Saturday, April 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Wild are the underdog (+100) in this matchup against the Stars (-120).

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Before watching this matchup, here's a look at which squad we predict will come out on top in Saturday's NHL Playoffs First Round action.

Wild vs. Stars Predictions for Saturday

Our computer model for this encounter predicts a final tally of Stars 4, Wild 2.

• Moneyline Pick: Stars (-120)
• Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Pick Em

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Stars Splits and Trends

• The Stars are 12-12-24 in overtime contests as part of a 50-20-12 overall record.
• Dallas is 22-6-8 (52 points) in its 36 games decided by one goal.
• The 12 times this season the Stars ended a game with only one goal, they went 2-7-3 (seven points).
• Dallas has finished 4-3-3 in the 10 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering 11 points).
• The Stars have scored at least three goals 57 times, and are 44-7-6 in those games (to register 94 points).
• In the 33 games when Dallas has recorded a lone power-play goal, it went 26-5-2 to register 54 points.
• When it has outshot opponents, Dallas is 24-8-2 (50 points).
• The Stars' opponents have had more shots in 44 games. The Stars finished 24-10-10 in those contests (58 points).

Wild Splits and Trends

• The Wild have earned a record of 15-12-27 in overtime contests on their way to an overall mark of 46-24-12.
• In the 28 games Minnesota has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 39 points.
• Across the 11 games this season the Wild finished with just one goal, they have earned four points.
• Minnesota has 12 points (4-9-4) when scoring exactly two goals this season.
• The Wild have scored more than two goals 54 times, earning 88 points from those matchups (41-7-6).
• Minnesota has scored a single power-play goal in 35 games this season and has recorded 44 points from those matchups.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Minnesota is 21-11-5 (47 points).
• The Wild's opponents have had more shots in 43 games. The Wild went 24-12-7 in those matchups (55 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Wild vs. Stars Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Where: American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas

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