The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs have arrived and and on paper the closest first-round series should be the Dallas Stars, who come in with the third best record in hockey and the second seed in the Central Division, against third-seeded Minnesota.
The two teams combined for 116 points in the regular season, by far the most combined points for any first-round matchup. Dallas comes in as the slightest of favorites, but is dealing with injuries to two of their stars, Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen, and their status is being closely guarded.
The series faces off Saturday night in what is expected to be a lengthy series.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild NHL Stanley Cup playoffs schedule, TV information
Dallas Stars record
The Dallas Stars finished the regular season 50-20-12, 112 points, 2nd in the Central Division of the Western Conference.
Minnesota Wild record
The Minnesota Wild finished the regular season 46-24-12, 104 points, 3rd in the Central Division of the Western Conference.
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild odds
From BetMGM.com
Game 1: Stars -1 1/2. Over/under 5 1/2. Moneyline Dallas Stars +200 Minnesota Wild -250.
Series: Dallas Stars +120, Minnesota Wild +100
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild predictions
CBS Sports Austin Nivison: Wild in 7
Nivision writes: “On defense, this matchup features two stingy teams with reliable goaltending. It should be a low-scoring series. Assuming Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen won’t be at full strength, that weakens Dallas enough for the Wild to spring the upset in a slugfest.”
CBS Sports Alexander Baumgartner: Stars in 7
Baumgartner writes: “This is a coin-flip matchup between two legit contenders. Dallas made it to the Western Conference Final in each of the past three seasons, and I value playoff experience, especially in the early rounds. I’m giving them the slight edge because of that.”
Daily Faceoff: Wild in 6
Anthony Trudeau writes: “Even if Heiskanen is close to 100% by this weekend, many of the finer details of this seemingly dead-even matchup point to the Wild; they’re meaner on the forecheck, they’re healthier from top to bottom, and they’ve had an easier time working deadline additions into their lineup. Look for Minnesota to finally break through without leaving the door open for any more Game 7 magic.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild schedule for Stanley Cup playoff series
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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