Wild rout Stars 6-1 to take Game 1 lead
PUBLISHED Apr 18, 2026, 8:59 AM ET
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DALLAS — The Minnesota Wild opened their Western Conference first-round series with a 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 1 at the American Airlines Center, with Matt Boldy scoring two goals and an assist and rookie Jesper Wallstedt making 27 saves in his playoff debut. The result gave Minnesota a 1-0 series lead and sent the Stars into a Game 1 deficit as both clubs prepared tactical adjustments for Game 2 on Monday night in Dallas. The win underscored how different this Wild team is from recent postseasons: Minnesota arrives with deeper forward depth, a bolstered penalty kill and the high-end skill added by Quinn Hughes. A chippy regular-season meeting a week earlier hinted the series could be physical and intense, and Wild players have talked about the long motivation to finally get past the first round. Jesper Wallstedt’s recent run of strong starts and Boldy’s growing postseason impact were key factors in Game 1 and figure prominently as Minnesota seeks its first trip to the second round since 2015.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- April 9, 2024: Heiskanen missed Dallas’s final regular-season game after a lower-body issue.
- April 13, 2024: Game 1 — Minnesota Wild beat Dallas Stars 6-1 at American Airlines Center.
- April 13, 2024: Matt Boldy scored two goals and assisted; Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves in playoff debut.
- April 13, 2024: Reports note Miro Heiskanen and Quinn Hughes were available for Game 1 after absences.
- April 15, 2024: Game 2 scheduled in Dallas on Monday night.
News Intelligence
- This game shows the Wild's new strategy. Stronger forwards. Better penalty kill. More skill from players like Quinn Hughes. If you're a fan, it's a fresh start. If you're just tuning in, it's a great time to watch. Check out Game 2 on Monday night.
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The Minnesota Wild benefited from a 6-1 Game 1 victory in Dallas, with Matt Boldy scoring two goals and Jesper Wallstedt making 27 saves in his postseason debut, giving Minnesota a 1-0 series lead.
The Dallas Stars suffered a 6-1 loss in Game 1, saw Jake Oettinger allow multiple goals, and entered the series with a 1-0 deficit despite Miro Heiskanen being active.
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Wild rout Stars 6-1 to take Game 1 lead
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