Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 4/18/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+100) Stars (-120)

The Dallas Stars (50-20-12) are welcoming the Minnesota Wild (46-24-12) at American Airlines Center on Saturday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs. The odds on this game have the Wild at +100 and the Stars are priced at -120. The over/under is set at 5.5.

The Minnesota Wild were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 win against the Ducks their last time on the ice. Minnesota recorded 8 mins in the box in this game. In addition, they had 1 chance with extra men on the ice but didn't net one. The Wild had an average offensive outing in the victory. While out there on the ice, they converted 3 of the 20 shots they put on net.

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Minnesota Wild opponents have tallied 213 power play opportunities (29th in professional hockey) and have come away with 43 goals in those chances. The Wild have had 2,410 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .902. Minnesota has attempted 2,393 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. While at even strength, the Wild have conceded 192 goals while getting 203 on offense. Minnesota skates onto the rink with 258 power play opportunities and they have notched 65 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 25.19%. For the season, they have tallied 104 points and their points percentage comes in at .634. When it comes to their scoring capabilities, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 268 goals (10th in the NHL) for the year and have given up 235.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Filip Gustavsson. For his career, Gustavsson has 128 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .610. He has a save percentage of .911 in his 9,081 mins between the pipes. Gustavsson has had 6,352 shots taken against him and has amassed 5,784 saves. Opponents have racked up 568 goals versus Gustavsson in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.70. He has amassed an overall record of 111-74-26 and he started in 210 games. Gustavsson has been in net for 219 matchups throughout his hockey career.

Their last time out, Dallas faced the Sabres in an outing where the Stars got the tie by a score of 3-3. The Stars scored 3 goals out of the 28 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 chances on the power play in this one and recorded 1 out of those chances.

The Stars have accumulated 202 goals at even strength and 71 goals (1st in hockey) while having more men on the ice. Dallas has taken 2,074 shots (30th in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 13.16%, while allowing the opposition 2,145 shots. This season, the Dallas Stars have 273 goals, 112 points, and a points percentage of .683. They have allowed 222 goals to be scored by way of 173 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 248 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 28.63%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 80.32% on the other teams 249 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 89.7%.

For the opposition you are expected to see Jake Oettinger protecting the goal. His opponents are averaging 2.52 goals per contest and he has relinquished 746 goals altogether. Oettinger's quality start rate is 58.4% and he has made 173 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has started in 296 games and his ice time sits at 13,436 minutes. Oettinger has accrued a career mark of 184-78-33 and has played in 305 contests. He is sitting with 7,530 saves out of the 8,276 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .910.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Dallas (-120)

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