The team that’s scored first has won every game. The Stars did exactly that in Game 4 as they managed to pull level at two games apiece following their 3-2 win in Minnesota on Sunday. Which team is best positioned to claim the pivotal Game 5?

Dallas is favoured to win on the NHL odds.

Wild vs. Stars NHL Betting Odds

Following the loss, the Wild are now just 2-6 in their last eight against teams with a winning record. They are also just 6-15 in their last 21 Conference Quarterfinals contests, so this has not been a great round for them.

As for Dallas, they are back at home where they are quite comfortable. They have won five of six at home. They are also 5-1 after allowing two or less in their previous game and 6-1 in their last seven games on one days’ rest.

Minnesota Wild

For the first time this series, the Wild lost with Filip Gustavsson in net. Maybe more importantly, it was the first time we didn’t see him play all that great. He had allowed a total of three goals in the first two contests while posting save percentages of .958 or better in each contest. In Game 4, he allowed three goals and had a save percentage of .875. He’s not fully to blame here, though, as the Wild gave up three power play opportunities and allowed goals on two of them. Realistically, if they can avoid the penalties – their two that led to power play goals were quite questionable to begin with – or do a better job of killing them and Gustavsson is slightly better in Game 5, the Wild will have a good shot of bouncing back.

Outside of that, the Wild weren’t exactly outplayed in Game 4. They only lost by a goal and saw Stars netminder Jake Oettinger stand on his head.

Dallas Stars

The needed their best player to show up in a big win in Game 4 and Oettinger did that. After a pair of games where he was lackluster (.860 save percentage in Games 2 and 3), Oettinger carried the team to victory in Game 4. He faced 34 shots and allowed just two goals. In a one-goal win that could have easily turned on a tip or a bounce, Oettinger made sure that whatever it was, it didn’t get by him.

The question will be whether he can find a level of consistency? He allowed just three goals in his final three regular season meetings with Minnesota but has allowed 12 in four games so far in their playoff series. He has to be the anchor for this team in Game 5 for them to pull this out and get their first lead of the series.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Wild vs. Stars?

WILD

Away

2

STARS

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