Quinn Hughes comes up big in Wild’s first playoff series win since 2015
Apr 30, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defensemen Quinn Hughes (43) celebrates his second goal of the night against the Dallas Stars during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images Nick Wosika/Nick Wosika-Imagn Images ST. PAUL, Minn.
— Already perhaps the deepest team in Wild history, the mid-December acquisition of Quinn Hughes made Minnesota a realistic Stanley Cup contender. Hughes more than proved his worth early in the postseason by leading Minnesota to its first playoff series victory in 11 years. He scored twice in the Wild’s 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6.
“I feel like I had some chances throughout the series that I just didn’t capitalize on. Just trying to continue to attack the game and have confidence and whatnot. I think that’s all it is,” said Hughes, who doubled his career playoff goals total to four in 36 games.
At the time of the trade, general manager Bill Guerin said when a player of Hughes caliber is available you need to make an offer knowing what he can add. And giving up three young players and a 2026 first-round draft pick was worth it. The 26-year-old U.
S. Olympian had 48 assists in 48 games with the Wild during the regular season, the most by a defenseman in franchise history. He had six assists in the Dallas series.