The Minnesota Wild secured a vital 4-2 victory against the Dallas Stars on April 28, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mats Zuccarello marked his return from injury by scoring a goal, which was pivotal for the team’s performance.
In addition to Zuccarello’s goal, Matt Boldy contributed significantly with one goal and one assist. Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves, showcasing his skills as the Wild’s goaltender.
The series now stands at 3-2 in favor of Minnesota, putting them just one win away from advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Brock Faber expressed the team’s sentiment well, stating, “He’s a key piece to this puzzle,” referring to Zuccarello’s impact.
Dallas’s Jason Robertson continued his impressive streak by scoring for the Stars, extending his goal tally to five consecutive games. However, despite their strong performance on power plays—successfully converting on 39.1% of opportunities during this series—the Stars couldn’t overcome the Wild.
Key Statistics:
- Minnesota Wild won Game 5 against Dallas Stars 4-2.
- Mats Zuccarello returned after missing 3 games due to injury.
- Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist for the Wild.
- Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.
- Dallas scored nine goals on 23 power-play opportunities.
Glen Gulutzan commented on his team’s performance saying, “I thought (the Wild) did a good job, certainly.” He emphasized that during this critical time of year, players need to be focused and ready to capitalize on their chances.
If the Wild finish the job Thursday in St. Paul, they’ll advance to the second round for the first time since 2015—a hopeful prospect for their dedicated fans who have long awaited playoff success.
