The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild start their first round series in Dallas tonight. Both teams had strong seasons, but only one can get out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Both the Stars and Wild have tons of talented players who can get their team out of the first round, so this will definitely be a fun series for however many games it goes. After both teams exited the playoffs in the first round last season, at least fans are guaranteed to see one of these teams in the second round this year.
Key Players To Watch:
Marc-Andre Fleury: Fleury is back in the postseason with the Wild this season. He and Filip Gustavsson form a pretty strong goalie tandem that the Wild will be able to rely on in the opening round. How Fleury does against his former coach in Pete DeBoer will be interesting to see.
Jake Oettinger: Jake Oettinger shined in the postseason in 2022. He almost stole the Stars their opening series against the Flames, how he does this season will be interesting to see. He was tied for sixth in save percentage this season with a .919 save percent. Additionally he gave up just 2.37 goals per game and was playing some great hockey down the stretch. If Oettinger can give up no more than two goals a game, then the Stars will be in a great place to take this series.
Max Domi: Max Domi is back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After a great year with Chicago, Domi joined the Stars at the trade deadline and looks poised for a playoff run. So many teams made major moves at the deadline this year, but Domi could be a sneaky good add by the Stars and we will see if he proves that in the opening round.
Here is what he had to say during the Stars media availability ahead of game one.
Kirill Kaprizov: Kirill Kaprizov led the Wild in points and goals this season with 75 points and 40 goals in 67 games. Kaprizov has registered two goals and an assist during the four games against Dallas this season, however he is a -4 as well. Kaprizov is obviously the biggest star on the ice in this series, it will be interesting to see how he takes over in game one.
Top Storylines:
Robertson versus Kaprizov
Jason Robertson and Kaprizov both had remarkable seasons this year. Both were up for the Calder Trophy in 2021 when Kaprizov took home the award, and both are key pieces of their respective teams. Robertson is having a career year scoring 46 goals and putting up 106 points, Kaprizov also had a good year. Both players drive their teams’ offensive production, so how they play against one another will be fun to watch.
The Wild goalie tandem
Having two capable goalies is not a bad thing, but it also can make things a little complicated. Gustavsson and Fleury are both going to get opportunities this series, but how they handle splitting the crease could decide the series. Could either one of them get rusty after not playing in a few games? Or could one goalie take the crease and play so well they won’t give it up?
Battle of the Stars
Dallas Stars versus North Stars… pretty fun matchup in my book. Hopefully this series can help add a bit more of a rivalry between the two central division teams that look poised to be good for the next handful of seasons.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild: Date, Time, Streaming and more
Date: Monday, April 17, 2023
Time: 8:30 PM CT
Where: American Airlines Center
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
Streaming: fuboTV
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Series Schedule:
Game 1 | Monday, April 17 at 8:30 p.m. | American Airlines Center | TV: ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2
Game 2 | Wednesday, April 19 at 8:30 p.m. | American Airlines Center | TV: ESPN2, SN360, TVAS
Game 3 | Friday, April 21 at 8:30 p.m. | Xcel Energy Center | TV: TBS, SN1, TVAS
Game 4 | Sunday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. | Xcel Energy Center | TV: TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS
Game 5 | Tuesday, April 25 at TBD | American Airlines Center * | TV: TBD
Game 6 | Friday, April 28 at TBD | Xcel Energy Center * | TV: TBD
Game 7 | Sunday, April 30 at TBD | American Airlines Center * | TV: TBD