Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild meet in Game 3 of their NHL Playoff series on April 22, 2026 at Grand Casino Arena. The series is currently tied 1-1, making this clash very important as momentum shifts to Minnesota’s home ice.
Match Details
| Match | Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild |
|---|---|
| League | NHL Playoffs |
| Game | Game 3 |
| Date | 22 April 2026 |
| Venue | Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul |
| Time | 9:30 PM ET |
| TV | TNT, TruTV, HBO Max |
Series Status
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | 1-1 |
| Minnesota Wild | 1-1 |
Both teams have already shown strong performances, with Dallas bouncing back in Game 2 to level the series.
Recent Form
Minnesota Wild Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 21 | Stars | Loss 4-8 |
| Apr 19 | Stars | Win 6-1 |
| Apr 15 | Ducks | Win 3-2 |
| Apr 14 | Blues | Loss 3-6 |
| Apr 12 | Predators | Loss 1-2 |
Minnesota have been competitive but inconsistent, especially with special teams.
Dallas Stars Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 21 | Wild | Win 8-4 |
| Apr 19 | Wild | Loss 1-6 |
| Apr 16 | Sabres | Win 4-3 |
| Apr 14 | Maple Leafs | Win 6-5 |
| Apr 12 | Rangers | Win 2-0 |
Dallas come into Game 3 with strong attacking momentum after a dominant Game 2 win.
Head-to-Head This Season
| Category | Stars | Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 2 Wins | 2 Wins |
| Last Match | Win 4-2 | Loss 2-4 |
The matchup has been balanced, with both teams winning key games.
Key Players to Watch
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Impact |
|---|---|
| Joel Eriksson Ek | Strong two-way play and points form |
| Kirill Kaprizov | Offensive leader |
| Matt Boldy | Creative attacking support |
Eriksson Ek has been very consistent, already contributing multiple points in this series.
Dallas Stars
| Player | Impact |
|---|---|
| Wyatt Johnston | Scored twice in Game 2 |
| Matt Duchene | Goal + assist impact |
| Jason Robertson | Key finisher |
Dallas have shown depth in scoring with multiple players contributing.
Goaltending Comparison
| Team | Goalie | Playoff Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Wild | Jesper Wallstedt | 2.02 GAA, .932 SV% |
| Stars | Jake Oettinger | 3.54 GAA, .879 SV% |
Minnesota clearly hold the edge in goal, with Wallstedt performing at a very high level.
Projected Lineups
| Minnesota Wild | Dallas Stars |
|---|---|
| Kaprizov – Eriksson Ek – Boldy | Robertson – Hintz – Pavelski |
| Johansson – Hartman – Tarasenko | Benn – Johnston – Duchene |
| Foligno – Yurov – Brink | Dadonov – Seguin – Marchment |
| Foligno – Sturm – McCarron | Dellandrea – Faksa – Smith |
| Hughes – Faber | Heiskanen – Lindell |
| Brodin – Spurgeon | Suter – Lundkvist |
| Middleton – Bogosian | Harley – Hakanpaa |
| Wallstedt | Oettinger |
Minnesota rely on structured lines and strong defense, while Dallas focus on offensive depth.
Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild | Mats Zuccarello | Game-time decision |
| Wild | Yakov Trenin | Game-time decision |
| Stars | No major injuries | Available |
Minnesota could miss key players, which may impact their lineup balance.
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Stars | Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | Strong finishing | Balanced |
| Defense | Improving | Solid |
| Goaltending | Inconsistent | Reliable |
Dallas rely more on scoring bursts, while Minnesota focus on structure and defense.
Betting Odds
| Market | Stars | Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +110 | -130 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 | -1.5 |
| Total Goals | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Minnesota are slight favorites due to home advantage and better goaltending.
Best Betting Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Match Winner | Wild |
| Total Goals | Over 5.5 |
| Player Pick | Joel Eriksson Ek Over 0.5 Points |
Recent games between these teams have produced high-scoring results.
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV | TNT, TruTV |
| Streaming | HBO Max |
| Venue | Grand Casino Arena |
| Time | 9:30 PM ET |
Final Prediction
Game 3 is expected to be intense as both teams fight for control of the series. Dallas Stars showed their attacking power in Game 2, scoring four goals and taking advantage of key moments. Their ability to convert chances makes them dangerous on any night.
Minnesota Wild, however, will feel confident returning home where they have performed well this season. Their biggest strength is goaltending, with Jesper Wallstedt delivering consistent performances. If Minnesota improve their power play and avoid mistakes, they can control the pace of the game.
This matchup looks evenly balanced, but Minnesota’s home advantage and better defensive structure give them a slight edge.
Predicted Score: Minnesota Wild 4 – Dallas Stars 3
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