Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars Betting Preview & Prediction – April 18, 2026
Jake Thompson
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Odds
Here’s the full odds board from Bookmaker.eu.
| Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| MIN +1.5 (-245) | DAL -1.5 (+194) | MIN -102 | DAL -118 | O 5.5 (-130) | U 5.5 (+106) |
Team Form Snapshot
A quick snapshot of season-long efficiency plus recent results.
| Team | Record | Last 10 | GF/G | GA/G | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 46-24-12 | 6-4-0 | 3.27 | 2.87 | 25.2% | 79.8% |
| Dallas Stars | 50-20-12 | 7-2-1 | 3.33 | 2.71 | 28.6% | 80.3% |
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota enters the series off a 46-24-12 season with a 6-4-0 run over its last 10. The Wild profile as a volume team (29.20 shots for per game) but they also allow volume (29.40 shots against per game), so their margin often comes down to finishing and special teams.
Dallas Stars
Dallas closed at 50-20-12 and 7-2-1 in its last 10, with a strong defensive baseline (2.71 goals allowed per game). Offensively, the Stars are not a high-shot team (25.29 shots for per game), but they combine finishing with a top-end power play (28.6%) and they keep opponents’ shot totals in check (26.17 shots against per game).
Matchup Notes
- Dallas profile is the cleaner two-way resume: +0.06 goals per game on offense (3.33 vs 3.27) and +0.16 goals per game on defense (2.71 vs 2.87).
- Special teams lean Dallas: Stars PP 28.6% vs Wild PK 79.8% is a pressure point if Minnesota takes penalties.
- Home/road splits: Stars were 26-11-4 at home; Wild were 23-14-4 on the road.
- Recent form edge: Dallas closed 7-2-1 in its last 10, Minnesota was 6-4-0.
- Rest: Minnesota last played April 14; Dallas last played April 15 (neither is on a back-to-back).
Best Bet
Dallas Stars moneyline (-118).
Dallas brings the better defensive rate (2.71 GA/G) and the higher-end special teams combo (28.6% PP, 80.3% PK), and it gets last change at home where it played to a 26-11-4 record. In a near pick’em price range, that’s enough to side with the home team.
Projected Score
Dallas 4, Minnesota 2
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