Your Dallas Stars are headed to the postseason for a fifth straight year, 21st time since relocating to Dallas in 1993-94 and 38th time in franchise history! The 2026 playoffs will be presented by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, Kia, and On Time Experts.

The National Hockey League has announced that Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round series between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild will begin at 4:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 18 at the American Airlines Center.

Dallas and Minnesota will play their third head-to-head playoff series following six-game wins by Dallas during the 2023 and 2016 First Round. The most-recent matchup was capped by Jake Oettinger ousting the Wild in his home state and Wyatt Johnston scoring the first of his three career series-clinching goals, which are tied with Al MacAdam and Mike Modano for the most in franchise history entering the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Dallas has made it to the Conference Finals in each of the past three postseasons. The Stars will look to become the third team in the past 40 years to reach the Conference Finals in four straight playoffs, following Colorado and Detroit.

The Stars have earned six series wins since 2023, the third most among all teams behind Florida and Edmonton.

Mikko Rantanen, who achieved multiple NHL firsts with his hat trick in Game 7 of the 2025 First Round and followed that up with another three-goal performance in Game 1 of the Second Round, ranks fourth among active players in points per game in the playoffs. The only players with a higher average are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon, all of which Rantanen and the Stars could meet en route to a Stanley Cup run in 2026.

Playoff Tickets

First Round Schedule

Watch Parties

Little Woodrow's

April 22 at 8:30 PM

8320 State Highway 121, Frisco, TX 75034

Register ahead of time for the First Round Game 3 Watch Party and let us know you’re coming! Everyone who registers in advance will be entered into a drawing to win a Victory Green jersey.

Little Woodrow's

April 25 at 4:30 PM

8320 State Highway 121, Frisco, TX 75034

Register ahead of time for the First Round Game 4 Watch Party and let us know you’re coming! Everyone who registers in advance will be entered into a drawing to win a Victory Green jersey.

Activations

Playoff Yard Signs

Show your support for Texas Playoff Hockey with your own Dallas Stars yard sign! All proceeds benefit the Dallas Stars Foundation.

Once you have your yard sign, we want to see how you show your support for the Dallas Stars! Decorate your Stars yard or outdoor space using the playoff yard sign and submit a photo or story for your chance to win a team‑signed playoff yard sign, a Stars swag pack, and an opportunity to be featured on Dallas Stars Foundation social media channels.

Dallas Stars NHL Bracket Challenge

Pre-register now for the Dallas Stars NHL Bracket Challenge to be ready when the excitement begins!

The official playoff field for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs has not yet been finalized. Once the regular season concludes and all 16 qualifying teams are determined, the full playoff bracket—including matchups and seeding—will be released.

By pre-registering today, you’ll secure early access to the bracket as soon as it opens, giving you the opportunity to make your predictions right from the start of the postseason action.

Exclusive Items

Food and Beverage Items

To celebrate the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, American Airlines Center has curated limited-time specials- including suites menus, concessions items, craft cocktails, and souvenirs available only during Dallas Stars Playoffs home games. Click on Additional Information to find your next food item below!

Souvenir Items

To celebrate the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, American Airlines Center has curated limited-time specials- including suites menus, concessions items, craft cocktails, and souvenirs available only during Dallas Stars Playoffs home games. Click on Additional Information to find out more about your next souvenir!

News and Videos

Game Day Guides

Game Day Guide: Stars at Wild

Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on Game 3 of the First Round against Minnesota

Game Day Guide: Stars vs Wild

Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on Game 2 of the First Round against Minnesota

Game Day Guide: Stars vs Wild

Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on Game 1 of the First Round against Minnesota

Heika's Takes

Heika’s Take: Stars stick to script in successful pushback, take Game 2 vs. Wild

After a lackluster effort to open the series on Saturday, Dallas responded in a physical and effective manner to even the series

Heika’s Take: Stars endure painfully familiar Game 1 loss at hands of Wild

Dallas got pinned behind the eight ball early in the second period and couldn’t find a way to fight back in a lopsided 6-1 loss to open the series

Heika’s Take: Stars secure 50th win of season over Sabres, enter playoffs on high note

Dallas claimed an impressive shootout win over high-flying Buffalo to hit the 50-win plateau for the third straight campaign

Playoff Articles

Game Day Guide: Stars at Wild

Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on Game 3 of the First Round against Minnesota

Bringing the boom: How Blackwell’s hit is a microcosm of Stars’ altered mentality

After struggling to match the opponent’s physicality in recent years, Dallas seems to have no trouble digging into the fight this season

Heika’s Take: Stars stick to script in successful pushback, take Game 2 vs. Wild

After a lackluster effort to open the series on Saturday, Dallas responded in a physical and effective manner to even the series

Game Day Guide: Stars vs Wild

Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on Game 2 of the First Round against Minnesota

Believe in believe: Stars seek quick reset ahead of Game 2 vs. Wild

Following a lopsided loss to Minnesota in Game 1, Dallas needs to lean back into what made it so strong throughout the regular season

Heika’s Take: Stars endure painfully familiar Game 1 loss at hands of Wild

Dallas got pinned behind the eight ball early in the second period and couldn’t find a way to fight back in a lopsided 6-1 loss to open the series

Game Day Guide: Stars vs Wild

Watch, listen, live stream and view the latest stats on Game 1 of the First Round against Minnesota

NHL announces Dallas Stars schedule for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round series vs. Minnesota

NHL announces start time for Dallas Stars/Minnesota Wild Game 1

Postgame Interviews

MIN@DAL Postgame: Jake Oettinger

Jake Oettinger speaks to the media after the win against Minnesota in Game 2.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Colin Blackwell

Colin Blackwell speaks to the media after the win against Minnesota in Game 2.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan

Gulutzan describes changes from game 1 to 2, how physical play will continue.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Wyatt Johnston & Jason Robertson

Johnston and Robertson discuss tying the series, play of Jake Oettinger.

4/19/26 Practice: Radek Faksa

Glen Gulutzan speaks to the media after practice.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Jake Oettinger

Jake Oettinger speaks to the media after the loss in Game 1.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Miro Heiskanen

Miro Heiskanen speaks to the media after the loss in Game 1.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Mikko Rantanen

Mikko Rantanen speaks to the media after the loss in Game 1.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan

Gulutzan discusses roster decisions, physical play after Game 1 loss to Minnesota.

Game Highlights

MIN at DAL | Recap

MIN at DAL | Recap

MIN@DAL: Johnston scores empty-net goal

MIN@DAL: Johnston scores empty-net goal

MIN@DAL: Robertson scores goal against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN@DAL: Robertson scores goal against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN@DAL: Duchene scores PPG against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN@DAL: Duchene scores PPG against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN@DAL: Oettinger with a great save against Matthew Boldy

MIN@DAL: Oettinger with a great save against Matthew Boldy

MIN@DAL: Johnston scores goal against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN@DAL: Johnston scores goal against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN at DAL | Recap

MIN at DAL | Recap

MIN@DAL: Robertson scores PPG against Jesper Wallstedt

MIN@DAL: Robertson scores PPG against Jesper Wallstedt

Johnston scores shootout winner against Sabres

Johnston scores shootout winner against Sabres

Playoff Videos

4/21/26 Travel Day: Glen Gulutzan

Gulutzan discusses the importance of road playoff games and provides a roster update.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Jake Oettinger

Jake Oettinger speaks to the media after the win against Minnesota in Game 2.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Colin Blackwell

Colin Blackwell speaks to the media after the win against Minnesota in Game 2.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan

Gulutzan describes changes from game 1 to 2, how physical play will continue.

MIN@DAL Postgame: Wyatt Johnston & Jason Robertson

Johnston and Robertson discuss tying the series, play of Jake Oettinger.

MIN@DAL Pregame: Jamie Benn

Jamie Benn speaks to the media before Game 2.

MIN@DAL Pregame: Matt Duchene

Matt Duchene speaks to the media before Game 2.

MIN@DAL Pregame: Jason Robertson

Jason Robertson speaks to the media before Game 2.

2026 Playoffs - Game 2 vs MIN Tease

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, momentum is just one shot away.

4/19/26 Practice: Glen Gulutzan

Glen Gulutzan speaks to the media after practice.

4/19/26 Practice: Nils Lundkvist

Nils Lundkvist speaks to the media after practice.

4/19/26 Practice: Radek Faksa

Glen Gulutzan speaks to the media after practice.