Wild vs Stars Series Odds, Prediction & Round 1 Preview

• The Stars opened as -140 series favorites over the Wild for their Round 1 matchup
• Minnesota took the regular season series 2-1 and outshot Dallas 101-73 across three games
• See my early Wild vs Stars prediction, opening odds and key storylines below

The Central Division’s two-vs-three matchup is set, as the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild square off in the Western Conference First Round. Dallas (46-20-12) holds a two-point edge on Minnesota (45-21-12) with four games left in the regular season, putting the Stars in line for home ice in what should be one of the tightest series on the Round 1 board.

You can see the full Western matchups on our NHL playoff bracket.

Here’s a look at the opening Wild vs Stars odds, the key storylines and my early prediction for the series.

Wild vs Stars Series Odds

The opening Wild vs Stars odds at DraftKings have Dallas at -140 to advance, with Minnesota coming back at +120. Dallas’s price translates to a 58.3% implied probability to win the series, while a $100 bet on the Wild would return $120 in profit.

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Stars Favored in Wild vs Stars Odds

It’s not hard to see why oddsmakers are leaning Dallas. The Stars have eliminated Minnesota in both prior playoff meetings, taking 4-2 series wins in 2016 and 2023, and the Wild have never beaten Dallas when it matters most.

The Stars’ lineup is loaded, too. Jason Robertson leads Dallas with 91 points (41 goals, 50 assists) in 78 games, while Wyatt Johnston has piled up 82 points and tops the entire NHL with 26 power-play goals.

Mikko Rantanen has 74 points in 60 games and looked sharp in his return from a lower-body injury suffered at the Winter Olympics, picking up a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on March 28.

Then there’s Jake Oettinger between the pipes. The Olympic gold medalist is 32-12-6 with a 2.61 GAA and .900 save percentage in 50 games, and he’s been even better against the Wild this season, posting a .929 save percentage and 2.31 GAA across three appearances. Oettinger’s playoff pedigree gives Dallas a major edge in a long series.

Wild Have the Recent Edge on Dallas

Don’t sleep on Minnesota at +120. The Wild took the regular season series 2-1 and absolutely controlled the play, outshooting Dallas 101-73 across three games. Both Wild wins came at home, and Minnesota even outshot the Stars 41-25 in the only Dallas victory back in October.

Wild vs Stars 2025-26 Season Series

Kirill Kaprizov is the headliner, racking up 87 points (43 goals, 44 assists) in 76 games. He’s finally getting his shot at a deep playoff run after years of first-round exits.

Matt Boldy has been even better in the head-to-head matchups, posting 4 points in 3 games and ripping 19 shots on goal. Vladimir Tarasenko also has 4 points against Dallas this season, giving Minnesota three forwards who’ve torched the Stars.

Filip Gustavsson has been the Wild’s anchor, going 28-13-6 with a 2.59 GAA and .904 save percentage. He’s started all three games against Dallas this year, going 2-1-0 with a 1.99 GAA, and rookie Jesper Wallstedt gives the Wild legitimate depth in net with a .915 save percentage in 33 appearances.

Wild vs Stars Team Comparison

Special teams could swing this series. Dallas owns the league’s best power play at 28.7%, and the Stars were even more lethal in the season series, going a scary 4-for-8 (50%) on the man-advantage against Minnesota.

Early Wild vs Stars Prediction

• Stars Series Moneyline (-140)

The Wild at +120 are tempting, and based on how the regular season series played out, this line probably should be tighter. Minnesota outshot Dallas 101-73 in three meetings and has the goaltending to keep things close, but for my Wild vs Stars prediction, I’m still picking the Stars to take care of business in Round 1.

Dallas has the better top-end forward group, the goaltending edge in Oettinger, and a perfect 2-0 playoff history against this Wild franchise. Miro Heiskanen quietly led the Stars with 4 points in 3 games against Minnesota this year, and his two-way play from the blueline is a nightmare matchup for any opponent.

Dallas is also in the driver’s seat for home ice with four games left, which would give the Stars another edge. The Wild will make them earn it, but I’ve got Dallas advancing in six or seven.