Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 4/9/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Victory+

The Minnesota Wild (44-21-12) are traveling to American Airlines Center on Thursday where they will go up against the Dallas Stars (45-20-12).

The Minnesota Wild went home feeling good about their game by earning a 5-4 win against the Red Wings in their previous outing. The Wild had a impressive offensive outing in the victory. In the game, they tallied a score on 5 out of the 20 shots they put on goal. Furthermore, they had 2 attempts on the power play and were able to notch 1 goal. Minnesota had 2 minutes in the box in this game.

With regard to their scoring, the Minnesota Wild have accounted for 252 goals (11th in the league) on the campaign and have surrendered 218. For the season, they have recorded 100 points and their points percentage sits at .649. Minnesota has accumulated 245 power play opportunities and they have tallied 61 goals out of those attempts, earning them a rate of 24.90%. While at even strength, the Wild have conceded 176 goals while notching 191 of their own. Minnesota has attempted 2,260 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.2%. The Wild so far have had 2,280 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .904. Minnesota Wild opponents have totaled 198 power play opportunities (30th in the league) and have racked up 42 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the net in this game is Filip Gustavsson. For his professional hockey career, Gustavsson has accrued 128 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .615. He has a save percentage of .912 for his 9,076 minutes played. Gustavsson has had 6,309 shot attempts against him and has accrued 5,751 saves. The opposition has racked up 558 goals against Gustavsson in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.68. He has accumulated an overall record of 111-72-26 and he was named the starter in 208 games. Gustavsson has participated in 217 games over the course of his hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, Dallas opposed the Avalanche in a matchup where the Stars took the loss by a final of 2-0. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this one but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Stars netted 0 goals of the 17 shots on goal they took.

This season, the Dallas Stars have accounted for 253 goals, 102 points, and a points percentage of .662. They have granted a total of 207 goals to be scored by way of 163 goals at even strength and 44 goals while they were shorthanded. The Stars are sitting with 186 goals at even strength and 67 goals (1st in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have a total of 232 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 28.88%. Dallas has attempted 1,950 shots (28th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 12.97%, while allowing the opposition 2,021 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 80.95% on the other teams 231 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.8%.

Across the ice you will find Jake Oettinger patrolling the crease. His opponents are averaging 2.52 goals per game and he has relinquished 736 goals altogether. Oettinger's rate of quality starts is 58.9% and he has made 172 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has started in 292 contests and has played for a total of 13,426 minutes. Oettinger is sitting with a career mark of 180-78-33 and has participated in 301 games. He has compiled 7,443 stops out of the 8,179 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .910.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here