After edging the Dallas Stars in double overtime in Game 1, the Minnesota Wild were throttled 7-3 in Game 2. The first-round playoff series now shifts to Minnesota with many wondering if the Dallas Stars have wrested control. The series – both this postseason one and the regular season matchups – have seemed to hinge on the style of game that’s played. Can the Wild keep this low scoring and work it to their favour or will the Stars offence again lead the way to a win?

Dallas opened as a slim favourite to win on the NHL odds.

Stars vs. Wild NHL Betting Odds

The Stars have been a good road team of late, winning five of six away games. They are also 9-2 in their last 11 games played against teams from the Central Division and 5-1 in their last six games against teams from the Western Conference. When it comes to the total, the over has hit in their last four games played on the road.

Minnesota has picked up a 1-5 record in their last six games when going up against a team with a winning record on the season. However, they are 14-4 in their last 18 games when getting one day of rest and are 9-4 in their last 13 games against teams from the Central Division. Their total has seen the over go 5-0-2 in their last seven games when getting one day of rest.

Dallas Stars

Dallas got the win in Game 2 despite some sour news about Joe Pavelski. The team’s third-leading scorer will not be making the trip with the Stars for Games 3 and 4 due to an injury suffered in Game 1. It seemed like this team played with some extra fire in Game 2 because of what happened to Pavelski. We’ll see if that serves as motivation moving forward.

Other offensive weapons had to show up and Roope Hintz did exactly that. He notched a hat trick, scoring a goal in all three periods.

The key for the Stars in Game 2 was a better start. Dallas got a short-handed breakaway early in the game and didn’t look back. From that point on it was an onslaught of offensive firepower against Minnesota that they weren’t able to recover from.

This is a team that’s now scored at least four goals in four of the six meetings between the two teams this season. If they get that type of output in Game 3, they’ll likely move ahead in the series.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild were unable to get anything going in Game 2. Defensively, they made far too many mental mistakes throughout the night. However, it may have started even before that as many were confused as to why the Wild started the veteran Marc-Andre Fleury instead of Filip Gustavsson. The two had alternated in net all season long but Gustavsson had just started Game 1 and came away with a franchise-record 51 saves to lead them to a double-overtime win. He finished second in the NHL in save percentage; is that the goaltender they really want to keep on the bench?

The Wild still played poorly otherwise – including the shorthanded breakaway goal and a pair of power play goals. Nonetheless, this may have had an impact on the squad mentally. It would be stunning if the team didn’t turn back to Gustavsson in Game 3.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Stars vs. Wild?

STARS

Away

3

WILD

Home

2

Score
Predictions

Matchup