The Minnesota Wild (1-0-0) and Dallas Stars (1-0-0) meet in a Central Division matchup. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. EDT at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Stars are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-125/+105). The Stars are a -192 favorite to win outright, while the Wild are +160 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Wild vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks.
Wild vs. Stars Odds, Pick
Wild Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -150 | 6 100o / -120u | +155 |
Stars Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +125 | 6 100o / -120u | -190 |
- Wild vs. Stars Spread: Wild +1.5 (-155), Stars -1.5 (+130)
- Wild vs. Stars Over/Under: 5.5 (-125 / +105)
- Wild vs. Stars Moneyline: Wild +160, Stars -192


Wild vs. Stars Preview
The Minnesota Wild enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back, and since goaltender Jesper Wallstedt started last night, they will turn to Filip Gustavsson between the pipes. Gustavsson was shelled in his latest outing, surrendering six goals on 31 shots for a .806 save percentage (SV%) against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In his defense, the group in front of him has not held up its end of the bargain in the defensive zone. This season, Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
However, the good news for Gustavsson is that he should receive plenty of support as the Wild rank 12th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
That said, the Dallas Stars rank even higher, as they sit seventh in the league in the same category. They should be able to exploit a struggling Minnesota blue line playing the second half of a back-to-back, paired with a goaltender who just allowed six goals in his previous outing.
Profiling similarly to the Wild, the Stars are stronger on offense than on defense. Ranking even lower than Minnesota, Dallas sits 21st in xGA/60.
Backing up this blue line is goaltender Jake Oettinger, who has struggled to handle the workload in front of him. He has allowed four goals in each of his past two starts, posting a .875 SV% over that span.
Oettinger still won both of those games, a testament to Dallas’ offensive firepower. There were nine total goals scored in each of those two outings, as the Stars’ offense found the back of the net five times both nights.

Wild vs. Stars Prediction
Another high-scoring affair is likely in this matchup. Both goaltenders enter this contest with sub-.900 SV%, which is both a product of their below-average play, as well as the poor defensive play in front of them.
Meanwhile, both offenses rank in the top 12 in xGF/60. Lastly, dating back to the preseason, there have been seven or more goals scored in four of Dallas' past six games, one of which was their 5-2 preseason victory over Minnesota.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-125 | Play to -130)