Wild vs Stars Prediction 4/9/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Stars prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 9th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 45-21-12 this season after they defeated the Kraken by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Minnesota trailed 2-1 after the first period, but they scored twice in the second and twice in the third for the win. The Wild out shot Seattle by a total of 29-27, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Foligno, Johansson, and Tarasenko, while Wallstedt stopped 25 out of 27 shots, which was a .926 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Red Wings by a score of 5-4 and the Senators by a score of 4-1. The Wild have won four games in a row and they are currently third in the Central standings with 102 points. Minnesota has scored 3.29 goals per game and they have allowed 2.82 goals against per game, while also going 24.8% on the power play and 79.1% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 43 goals and 44 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 42 goals and 41 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 28-13-6 with a 2.59 goals against average and a .909 save percentage this season. 

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are 46-20-12 this year after they defeated the Flames in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Dallas trailed 3-1 in the third period, but they managed to tie the game and get the win in OT. The Stars out shot Calgary by a total of 25-20, won 62.0% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Hryckowian, Johnston (2), and Robertson, while Oettinger stopped 17 out of 20 shots, which was an .850 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Dallas lost to the Avalanche by a score of 2-0, but did beat the Jets by a score of 3-0 before that. The Stars have lost three of their last five games and they are currently second in the Central standings with 104 points. Dallas has scored 3.29 goals per game and they have allowed 2.69 goals against per game, while also going 28.7% on the power play and 80.8% on the penalty kill this season. Jason Robertson has led Dallas with 41 goals and 50 assists, while Wyatt Johnston has added 43 goals and 39 assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who is 32-12-6 with a 2.61 goals against average and an .899 save percentage this season. 

Why the Dallas Stars will win

• The Stars have won each of their last five home games against the Wild after coming off overtime.
• The Wild have lost five of their last six night games at American Airlines Center.
• The home team has covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Wild and Stars.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games at American Airlines Center.
• The Wild have lost the second period in each of their last five games as underdogs at American Airlines Center when trailing after the first period.

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The Stars have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a win.
• The underdogs have won three of the last four games between the Wild and Stars.
• The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 10 games as home favorites after coming off overtime.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
• The Stars have lost the third period in each of their last three home games following a win.

Total Goals Facts

• Six of the Wild’s last seven night games against the Stars following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Ten of the last 12 games between two teams from the Central Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Stars’ last six games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 14 of the Stars’ last 15 home games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last seven games as road underdogs.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Wyatt Johnston has scored at least one goal in six of the Stars’ last seven games as home favorites.
• Jason Robertson has scored the first goal in three of the Stars’ last four games as favorites against the Wild.
• Mikko Rantanen has recorded an assist in nine of his last 10 appearances in night games.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Kaprizov has scored a goal in four of the Wild’s last five games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• Brock Faber has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Wild’s last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents.

Wild vs Stars Prediction 

These two teams come into this matchup second and third in the Central standings and only two points separates them, so this is a big game for each side. The Stars are 24-11-4 at home this year, while the Wild are 23-11-4 on the road. Minnesota has won four games in a row and they have scored 4+ in all four of those victories. Dallas has won two of their last three games, but they have scored just seven goals in those three contests. These teams are very evenly matched, but I think Minnesota is playing the better hockey right now. Take the Wild here.

David Racey's Pick: Wild ML