Overview
- The Minnesota Wild closed out the Dallas Stars 5-2 on Thursday in Saint Paul to win the first-round series 4-2.
- Quinn Hughes led Minnesota with two goals and an assist, including the third-period winner on a shot that deflected off Ilya Lyubushkin.
- Jesper Wallstedt made 22 saves and said the playoff atmosphere was “pretty freaking fun” as fans erupted in Grand Casino Arena.
- Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Minnesota outplayed Dallas in four of six games, noting a 254-minute five-on-five goal drought that ended with Mavrik Bourque in Game 6.
- The series win sends Minnesota to a second-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche and marks the Wild’s first series win over Dallas since the franchise’s inception.