Wild vs Stars Prediction 4/20/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Stars prediction for this NHL game on Monday, April 20th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are up 1-0 in this series after they won game one by a score of 6-1 on Saturday. Minnesota scored the first four goals of the game and they cruised to the relatively easy win. The Wild recorded 29 shots on goal, won 49.2% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy (2), Eriksson Ek (2), Hartman, and Kaprizov, while Wallstedt stopped 27 out of 28 shots, which was a .964 save percentage.

Prior to that game, 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 six of their last nine 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. 

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are down 0-1 in this series after they were blown out in game one by a score of 6-1. Dallas played very poorly in the first 30 minutes, but they did play better in the second half of the game and created quite a few great chances. The Stars recorded 28 shots on goal, won 50.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Dallas got their lone goal from Robertson, while Oettinger stopped 23 out of 28 shots, which was an .821 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Dallas defeated the Sabres by a score of 4-3 and the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-5. The Stars have won five of their last six 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. 

Why the Dallas Stars will win

• The home team has won six of the last seven games between the Wild and Stars.
• The Wild have lost each of their last three night games at American Airlines Center.
• The Stars have covered the puck line in four of their last five games at American Airlines Center against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games following a road win.
• The Stars have won the third period in each of their last five night games against Central Division opponents at American Airlines Center when trailing after the second period.

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The underdogs have won three of the Wild’s last four games.
• The Stars have lost five of their last 10 games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against the Stars.
• The Stars have lost the first period in four of their last five night games following a home loss.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Stars’ last four home games following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Wild’s last six Monday games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Six of the last seven games between two teams from the Central Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last six night games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Stars’ last nine games against opponents on a winning streak.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Jason Robertson has scored at least one goal in each of the Stars’ last four playoff games.
• Roope Hintz has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances with the Stars as home favorites.
• Jason Robertson has scored four goals against the Wild this season – most against any opponent.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Matthew Boldy has scored at least one goal in each of the Wild’s last four playoff games as road underdogs.
• Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in 12 of his last 13 appearances with the Wild as underdogs.
• Marcus Johansson has scored two goals against the Stars this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• 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).
• 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).

Wild vs Stars Prediction 

Minnesota was able to steal game one on the road with a dominating performance and they will look to take command of this series with another win here. The Wild were 23-14-4 on the road this year, while the Stars were 26-11-4 at home. Dallas really can’t afford to go down 0-2, which means they need to start the game much faster than they did in game one. I think we are in for a long battle in this series and I fully expect a bounce back from Dallas. Take the Stars to get the win here.

David Racey's Pick: Stars ML