Top-heavy Stars need depth players to help stave off elimination vs. Minnesota
The scoreboard isn't the only thing that's been lopsided vs. the Wild: Only five Dallas players have found the net through five games.
Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn prepares for a face off during the first period in Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) Now one loss away from elimination , the Stars haven’t been able to score 5-on-5 and haven’t received the contributions from depth players needed to survive a demanding first-round series with the Minnesota Wild.
“It’s not like we’re not trying,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said. Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa (12) falls to the ice after being checked into the boards by Minnesota Wild center Michael McCarron (47) during the second period in Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series game in Dallas, April 28, 2026. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) Whether Benn and his teammates will admit it or not, frustration has to be setting in for the Stars.
They’ve dropped their last two games — one where they were five minutes away from taking a 3-1 lead in the series, and the other in a critical contest on home ice. And they’ve had little success resolving most of the issues that have followed them through five games now. The Stars went yet another game without a 5-on-5 goal.
They haven’t scored one since just 13:48 into Game 3, and Minnesota has since taken an 11-3 scoring advantage in those situations. RELATED: Stars' season on the ropes as Wild defense leaves Dallas powerless without the power play As lopsided as the scoreboard has been 5-on-5, Dallas has generated chances. In fact, the Stars held a 26-15 advantage in 5-on-5 scoring chances Tuesday night.