Stars vs Wild Prediction 4/18/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Stars vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 18th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are 50-20-12 this year after they defeated the Sabres in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Dallas trailed 2-1 and 3-2, but they tied the game late in the second and escaped with the win in a shootout. The Stars out shot Buffalo by a total of 28-24, won 46.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Bourque, Hryckowian, and Lindell, while Oettinger stopped 21 out of 24 shots, which was an .875 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Dallas defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-5 and the Rangers by a score of 2-0. The Stars have won five games in a row and they finished second in the Central standings with 112 points. Dallas has scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 2.71 goals against per game, while also going 28.6% on the power play and 80.3% on the penalty kill this season. Jason Robertson has led Dallas with 45 goals and 51 assists, while Wyatt Johnston has added 45 goals and 41 assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who is 35-12-6 with a 2.59 goals against average and an .899 save percentage this year. 

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 46-24-12 this season after they defeated the Ducks by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Minnesota had their lead cut to 3-2 late in the third period, but they were able to hang on for the win. The Wild were out shot by a total of 37-20, won 46.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Fabbri, Haight, and Yurov, while Wallstedt stopped 35 out of 37 shots, which was a .946 save percentage.

Prior to that game, Minnesota lost to the Blues by a score of 6-3 and the Predators by a score of 2-1. The Wild have lost three of their last four games and they finished third in the Central standings with 104 points. Minnesota has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 25.2% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 45 goals and 44 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 42 goals and 43 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Jesper Wallstedt, who is 18-9-6 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this season. 

Why the Dallas Stars will win

• The Stars have won each of their last 10 games as home favorites following a road win.
• The Wild have lost six of their last seven games at American Airlines Center.
• The home team has covered the puck line in 10 of the Wild’s last 12 games.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games at American Airlines Center when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Stars have won the first period in each of their last seven games following a shootout win.

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The Stars have lost four of their last five games as favorites after coming off overtime.
• The Wild have won three of their last four games as an underdog when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 11 home games after coming off overtime.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last eight Saturday games as underdogs.
• The underdogs have won the first period in eight of the Wild’s last nine games.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Wild’s last 10 day games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Ten of the last 11 day games between two teams from the Central Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Stars’ last five home games following a shootout win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games as road underdogs.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Stars’ last eight home games against Central Division opponents.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Wyatt Johnston has scored a goal in each of the Stars’ last four home games against the Wild.
• Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in each of his last nine appearances in day playoff games.
• Wyatt Johnston ranks 1st in the league for Power Play Goals (27) this season.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Wild as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with the Wild as underdogs.
• Quinn Hughes ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (27:44) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Dallas Stars rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.71).
• The Dallas Stars rank 2nd in the league in power play percentage this season (28.63%).
• The Minnesota Wild rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (25.19%).
• The Minnesota Wild rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.87).

Stars vs Wild Prediction 

Dallas comes into this matchup on a five game winning streak and they have scored at least four goals in four of those five games. The Stars are 26-11-4 at home this year, while the Wild are 23-14-4 on the road. Minnesota has lost three of their last four games, but they did tie the season series by scores of 2-5, 5-2, 2-1, and 4-5. These are probably two of the top three teams in the West, but due to the NHL’s format, they have to play in the first round. This series will most likely last six or seven games, but I will side with Minnesota in this one.