Stars vs Wild Prediction 4/30/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Stars vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 30th at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are down 2-3 in this series after they lost three of the first five games by scores of 1-6, 4-2, 4-3 (OT), 2-3 (OT), and 2-4. In game five, Dallas cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed an empty net goal to seal the loss. The Stars recorded 22 shots on goal, won 48.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Robertson and Heiskanen, while Oettinger stopped 24 out of 27 shots, which was an .889 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Dallas defeated the Sabres by a score of 4-3 and the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-5. The Stars have won seven of their last 10 games and they finished second in the Central standings with 112 points. Dallas scored 3.33 goals per game and they allowed 2.71 goals against per game, while also going 28.6% on the power play and 80.3% on the penalty kill this season. Jason Robertson led Dallas with 45 goals and 51 assists, while Wyatt Johnston added 45 goals and 41 assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who was 35-12-6 with a 2.59 goals against average and an .899 save percentage this year. 

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are up 3-2 in this series after they won game five by a score of 4-2. Minnesota led 2-1 after two periods and they added two goals in the third to get a huge road win. The Wild recorded 28 shots on goal, won 51.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Kaprizov, McCarron, and Zuccarello, while Wallstedt stopped 20 out of 22 shots, which was a .909 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Minnesota defeated the Ducks by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Blues by a score of 6-3 before that. The Wild have won four of their last six games and they finished third in the Central standings with 104 points. Minnesota scored 3.27 goals per game and they allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 25.2% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov led Minnesota with 45 goals and 44 assists, while Matt Boldy added 42 goals and 43 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Jesper Wallstedt, who was 18-9-6 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this season. 

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The Wild have won five of their last six games at Grand Casino Arena.
• The Stars have lost four of their last five road games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three night games at Grand Casino Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in three of their last four home games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Wild have won the second period in each of their last four home games when trailing after the first period.

Why the Dallas Stars will win

• The underdogs have won four of the Stars’ last five games at Grand Casino Arena.
• The Wild have lost eight of their last 12 games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Stars have covered the puck line in 15 of their last 16 games as road underdogs.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Stars have won the third period in four of their last five night games against Western Conference opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Stars’ last four games at Grand Casino Arena following a loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Wild’s last six home games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in 10 of the Wild’s last 11 night games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Stars’ last 10 games against opponents on a winning streak.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Matthew Boldy has scored at least one goal in three of his last four appearances at Grand Casino Arena.
• Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances in night playoff games.
• Matthew Boldy has recorded at least four shots in each of his last seven appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Jason Robertson has scored the first goal in four of the Stars’ last five games at Grand Casino Arena.
• Jason Robertson has scored a goal in each of the Stars’ last eight games against the Wild.
• Mikko Rantanen has recorded an assist in 14 of his last 16 appearances in night games.
• Jason Robertson has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances – longest active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Minnesota Wild are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The Minnesota Wild rank 2nd in the league in save percentage this season (.909).
• The Dallas Stars are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The Dallas Stars rank 1st in the league for power play goals this season (71).

Stars vs Wild Prediction 

Minnesota comes into this matchup with a chance to win the series and they will be on home ice, but this series has been very tight through five games. The Wild were 23-10-8 at home this year, while the Stars were 24-9-8 on the road. Dallas has scored two goals or fewer in three of the five games in this series, but they do have a road win, which came in game three. This is going to be another great game, but I have to side with Minnesota on home ice, as they are the better team in my opinion.

David Racey's Pick: Wild ML