Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 4/20/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars

Date: Monday, April 20, 2026

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+114) Stars (-135)

American Airlines Center is the location where the Dallas Stars (50-20-12) will go up against the Minnesota Wild (46-24-12) on Monday in Game 2 of their 1st round series. Minnesota leads 1-0. The line on this matchup has Minnesota at +114 while Dallas is opening at -135. The betting total comes in at 5.5.

The Minnesota Wild came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 6-1 victory over the Stars in Game 1. The Wild had a good offensive performance in this victory. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 6 out of the 29 shots they launched. Moreover, they had 4 power play chances and netted 2 goals. Minnesota compiled 10 penalty mins for this matchup.

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Concerning scoring goals, the Minnesota Wild have notched 268 goals (10th in hockey) on the campaign and have given up 235. For the current campaign, the have a total of 104 points and their points percentage is sitting at .634. Minnesota skates onto the rink with 258 power play chances and they have notched 65 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 25.19%. While at even strength, the Wild have conceded 192 goals while scoring 203 themselves. Minnesota has taken 2,393 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. The Wild so far have had 2,410 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .902. Minnesota Wild opponents have tallied 213 power play tries (29th in professional hockey) and have a total of 43 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Filip Gustavsson. Opponents have tallied 568 goals against Gustavsson in his career and his goals against rate is 2.70. Gustavsson has played in 219 matchups during his NHL career. His save percentage currently sits at .911 for his 9,081 mins guarding the cage. He has accumulated a record of 111-74-26 and was named the starter in 210 games. In his professional hockey career, Gustavsson has tallied 128 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .610. Gustavsson has had 6,352 shots against him and has amassed 5,784 saves.

In Game 1, the Stars recorded 1 goal of the 28 shots on goal they took. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this matchup and tallied 1 out of those attempts.

The Stars have accumulated 202 goals at even strength and 71 goals (1st in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. Dallas has put up 2,074 shots (30th in the league) and has earned a shot percentage of 13.16%, while allowing their opponents 2,145 shots. During this campaign, the Dallas Stars have tallied 273 goals, 112 points, in addition to a points percentage of .683. They have allowed 222 goals to be scored by of a combination of 173 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 248 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 28.63%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 80.32% on their oppositions 249 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.7%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Jake Oettinger in net. Oettinger has compiled a career mark of 184-78-33 and has been in goal for 305 contests. Oettinger's percentage of quality starts comes out to 58.4% and he has 173 quality starts in his NHL career. He has accrued 7,530 stops out of 8,276 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .910. Opponents are averaging 2.52 goals per contest and he has given up 746 goals altogether. He has started in 296 games and has played for a total of 13,436 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota (+114)

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