The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild meet Thursday night for Game 6 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series, with Minnesota holding a 3-2 lead and a chance to advance on home ice at Xcel Energy Center.
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Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque (22) tries to poke the puck past Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
How to Watch Stars vs Wild
- When: Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: TNT / truTV
- Live Stream: DIRECTV (try for free)
Minnesota seized control Tuesday with a 4-2 Game 5 road win in Dallas. Kirill Kaprizov delivered a star performance with one goal and two assists, while Mats Zuccarello scored in his return to the lineup and Matt Boldy added another goal to continue his strong postseason. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 20 shots, and the Wild capitalized on improved special teams after struggling earlier in the series.
– Live Stream Stars vs Wild with DIRECTV –
Dallas now faces elimination and needs a response from its veteran core. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen each had a goal and an assist in Game 5, but the Stars were unable to overcome another slow start. Adding to the tension, captain Jamie Benn was fined by the NHL Department of Player Safety after a late cross-checking incident involving Ryan Hartman. The Stars have been one of the NHL’s better road teams this season, and they now need that form to force Game 7.
The key storyline Thursday is whether Minnesota’s speed and confidence can finish the series, or if Dallas can lean on playoff experience and star power to extend it. With the Colorado Avalanche already waiting in the next round, both teams know the stakes could not be higher.
This is a great NHL matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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