Full Breakdown
Wild End Stars' Run, 5-2 Game 6 Win
5/2/2026, 5:51:14 AM
Wild End Stars' Run, 5-2 Game 6 Win
In Game 6 of the Western Conference first round, the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 5–2 at Grand Casino Arena, sealing a 4–2 series victory. The win gave Minnesota its first playoff series triumph in 11 years, ending a decade of first-round exits. Quinn Hughes opened the scoring and later supplied the game-winner, while the Wild outscored Dallas 17–5 at even strength.
Trade for Quinn Hughes and Playoff Context
Minnesota acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from Vancouver in December, giving up three prospects and a 2026 first-round pick. Hughes posted 48 assists in 48 regular-season games, a franchise record for a defenseman, and added six assists in the Dallas series. The Wild had reached the Western Conference Final three of the past four seasons but had not advanced past the first round since 2015, losing to Dallas in 2016 and 2023.
Series Numbers
- Series result: Wild 4, Stars 2
- Even-strength: Wild 17, Stars 5 (5-on-5: 12-4)
- Power-play: Wild 3, Stars 10 (league-high)
- Quinn Hughes: 2 G, 1 A in Game 6; 8 P total (defenseman record)
- Jesper Wallstedt: 22 SV, .924 SV%
- Jake Oettinger: 16 SV, 2 G allowed
- Stars five-on-five goals: 4 (third-fewest)
Official Statements
Wild head coach John Hynes expressed pride in his roster and highlighted Hughes’ two-goal performance. General manager Bill Guerin described the Hughes trade as a rare chance to add a player of that caliber. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan noted the team’s defensive effort but said the lack of 5-on-5 production cost the series. Forward Matt Duchene characterized the loss as a series of costly mistakes rather than a lack of effort.
Criticism & Opposition
Dallas highlighted missed chances and an over-reliance on the power play. Gulutzan said the Stars “had our looks, we had our shots…just weren’t able to produce enough 5-on-5,” while Duchene added the team “didn’t get the bounces we needed” after each error. The Stars’ four five-on-five goals underscored the offensive stagnation when not on the man-advantage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You got a really good caliber team and that's the hardest thing to swallow right now.” — Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars head coach
- “I'm really proud of the group,” — John Hynes, Minnesota Wild head coach
- “Bringing a player like Quinn Hughes here, you just don’t get these opportunities all that often,” — Bill Guerin, Minnesota Wild GM
- “I see our fans when we scored our fourth goal, I looked back through the glass and I see someone crying in the stands,” — Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild goaltender
What's Next
Minnesota will meet Presidents’ Trophy winners Colorado Avalanche in the second round. The series pits recent Norris Trophy winners Quinn Hughes (2024) against Colorado’s Cale Makar (2025), only the fifth NHL matchup of back-to-back Norris winners. The Avalanche, fresh from a sweep of Los Angeles, enter well-rested; the Wild aim to extend their historic win.
