Wild vs Stars Game 1 Prediction, Preview & Odds

• The Stars are -120 favorites over the Wild in Game 1 of their 1st Round series
• Minnesota ranked 5th in expected goals per 60 minutes over the final 20 games of the season
• See below for my favorite Wild vs Stars Game 1 prediction and preview, plus the latest odds

The second contest of today’s NHL playoff tripleheader features the Wild vs the Stars in what should be the most exciting 1st round series in the NHL Playoff Bracket. Online sportsbooks are siding with Dallas in the Game 1 NHL odds, which I believe opens up value on Minnesota as plus-money underdogs.

Puck drop for this Western Conference showdown is scheduled for 5:30 pm ET from the American Airlines Center, in Dallas, Texas. ESPN will handle broadcast duties across America, while Sportsnet will carry the game for Canadian viewers.

Here is my favorite Wild vs Stars Game 1 prediction and preview, along with the latest odds.

Wild vs Stars Game 1 Prediction and Preview

• Minnesota Wild Moneyline (+100 at Bet365)

My favorite Wild vs Stars Game 1 prediction is the Minnesota moneyline. These two teams are incredibly even matched, and I wouldn’t be surprised if either emerged victorious in the Stanley Cup odds. Minnesota and Dallas split their four regular season meetings, and this series is by far the most likely to need 7 games in Round 1.

Over the past 14 years, no team has reached the postseason more often than the Wild. However, they’ve made it past the 1st round just twice, and not since the 2014-15 campaign. I’m willing to bet they buck that trend this year, and it starts with a Game 1 victory.

This version of Minnesota is its most talented team ever, with two 40-goal scorers in Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, along with two of the best defensemen in the league in Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber. Since acquiring Hughes, the Wild’s powerplay unit is clicking at an elite 28%, and that part of their game routinely held them back in previous postseasons.

Minnesota’s offense is firing on all cylinders heading into the playoffs, ranking fifth in expected goals per 60 minutes over their final 20 games, with a 54% goal share.

As for the matchup, the Stars are equally as talented on all three levels, but their play between the pipes, especially on the PK, should be worrisome to potential Dallas backers. Jake Oettinger finished with a sub-.900 save percentage for the first time in his career, and ranked 46th in save percentage while shorthanded.

The Wild meanwhile, have two reliable netminders in Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt, who will need to stand tall versus a loaded Stars offense. Like Minnesota, Dallas a pair of 40-goal scorers in Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnson, but will be missing Roope Hintz, who ranks fourth on the team on a point per game basis. Hintz is also a key special teams player, and his absence on the PK is a big blow.

Speaking of injuries, star defenseman Miro Heiskanen is expected back for Game 1, but he’ll be operating at less than 100% with an undisclosed injury. Ultimately, I’ll take the healthier team, with the better goaltending metrics this season, at a juicy plus-money price.

Wild vs Stars Game 1 Odds

Odds as of April 18. Claim the FanDuel promo code to bet on the Wild vs Stars.

If you want to tail my Wild moneyline pick make sure you visit Bet365, as they’re currently the only sportsbook offering plus-money on a Minnesota win. Bet365 also has the shortest odds on a Dallas victory if you like the other side at -120, while FanDuel has the best price on the Wild to cover the 1.5 goal puck line.

As for the NHL public betting splits, it looks like backing Minnesota is a very contrarian stance. Dallas is drawing 81% of the moneyline tickets and 79% of the money ahead of puck drop, meaning sportsbooks and myself will be aligned cheering for the underdog.