Wild Push Stars to Brink as Avalanche Await Round 2 Opponent
Minnesota returns home one win from eliminating Dallas, ending its long second-round drought, and setting up a marquee playoff clash with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Minnesota Wild are one win away from changing the shape of the Western Conference playoffs. After a convincing 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 on Tuesday night, Minnesota now holds a 3-2 series lead and heads home with a chance to eliminate one of the conference’s most established contenders. If the Wild finish the job Thursday in St.
Paul, they’ll advance to the second round for the first time since 2015 — and set up a showdown with the Colorado Avalanche. If Dallas answers, the series will head back to Texas for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday. Minnesota Looks Different For years, the Wild were known as a team that competed hard, defended well, and made life uncomfortable for opponents.
But when the playoffs tightened, something was usually missing. This group feels different. Minnesota has played with confidence throughout the series, but Game 5 may have been its most complete performance yet.
The Wild clogged the neutral zone, pressured Dallas all over the ice, and rarely gave the Stars clean looks in dangerous areas. Even when Dallas controlled possession at times, Minnesota never looked rattled. It stayed patient, stayed connected, and trusted the style that got it here.