Story perspectives

Wild Beat Stars 5-2, Hughes Sets Assist Record

5/2/2026

Summary

Wild Advance

Minnesota Wild defeated Dallas Stars 5-2 on May 1, 2026, to meet Colorado Avalanche in the second round.
Quinn Hughes, acquired from Vancouver in mid-December for three prospects and a 2026 first-round pick, set a Wild record with 48 assists in 48 games and added two goals and an assist in Game 6, raising his playoff totals.
Colorado Avalanche entered the series after sweeping Los Angeles and rank 27th in power-play efficiency (17.1%).

Summary

Stars Target Cup

The playoff series revived the long-standing Minnesota-Dallas rivalry that dates back to the 1994 North Stars relocation and the Ryan Suter cross-check on Kirill Kaprizov.
NHL free agency opens on July 1, prompting the Dallas Stars to plan roster moves aimed at a second Stanley Cup after their early playoff exit.
Jonas Brodin missed Game 6 with a lower-body injury and was replaced in the lineup by defenseman Jeff Petry.

Summary

Wild Clinches

Gulutzan said the Stars’ regular-season success created expectations that the playoff loss left unanswered.
Hynes praised the Wild’s depth and defensive discipline as a pleasure to coach.
Wallstedt stopped 21 shots, anchoring Minnesota’s goaltending in the series-clinching win.
Duchene blamed the Stars’ costly mistakes for the goals against, noting missed bounces rather than effort.
Oettinger recorded 16 saves for Dallas while the team failed to generate consistent offense.

History

Historical Context

Owner Norm Green won NHL approval in March 1993 to move the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, creating the Stars. The league kept its promise by awarding Minnesota an expansion team in 1997, which debuted as the Wild in 2000-01; their first meeting on Dec 17 2000 ended 6-0 for Minnesota. By 2023-24 the Stars lead the head-to-head 52-38, and the 2026 playoff round revives the rivalry.

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Wild Advance

Minnesota Wild defeated Dallas Stars 5-2 on May 1, 2026, to meet Colorado Avalanche in the second round.
Quinn Hughes, acquired from Vancouver in mid-December for three prospects and a 2026 first-round pick, set a Wild record with 48 assists in 48 games and added two goals and an assist in Game 6, raising his playoff totals.
Colorado Avalanche entered the series after sweeping Los Angeles and rank 27th in power-play efficiency (17.1%).

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