Game Four Preview: Wild vs. Stars

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota is back on the ice at Grand Casino Arena tonight, seeking redemption before the State of Hockey after falling 4-3 in double-overtime to the Stars on Wednesday night. One rest day and one practice day later, the team is back, ready to battle again in hopes of regaining traction in this Playoff series. 

Forwards Yakov Trenin and Mats Zuccarello are still day-to-day with their upper body injuries. Zuccarello is questionable for today's game, while Trenin is out.

Info for Today's Game:

• When: Saturday, April 25th at 4:30 p.m. CT
• Where: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
• Tickets: Buy Now
• Stream: FanDuel Sports North/TNT/truTV/HBO max
• Listen: KFAN
• Gamecenter: R1G4: Wild vs. Stars

Series Record: 1-2

Wild Regular Season Record: 46-24-12

Stars Regular Season Record: 50-20-12

2025-26 Series Record: 2-2-0

All-Time Wild Record: 41-44-13 (14-28-8 at Dallas)

All-Time Playoff Record: 5-10 (2-5 at Grand Casino Arena)

The Series So Far

The Wild won Game 1, 6-1, at American Airlines Center (4/18) before the the Stars won Game 2, 4-2, in Dallas (4/20) and Game 3, 4-3, in double overtime (4/22).

C Joel Eriksson Ek leads Minnesota with five points (3-2=5) in the series. LW Matt Boldy (2-2=4), D Quinn Hughes (0-4=4) and LW Kirill Kaprizov (1-3=4) each have four points. G Jesper Wallstedt is 1-2 with a 2.27 GAA and a .916 SV% in starting all three games for the Wild.

C Wyatt Johnston (3-2=5), C Matt Duchene (2-3=5) and LW Jason Robertson (3-2=5) lead Dallas with five points each. D Miro Heiskanen (0-3=3) and RW Mikko Rantanen (1- 2=3) own three points each. G Jake Oettinger is 2-1 with a 2.85 and a .889 SV% in starting all three games for Dallas.

Wild Regular Season Leaders

• Tarasenko leads the Wild with 34 points (21-13=34) in 40 career games against Dallas
• RW Mats Zuccarello has 27 points (5-22=27) in 31 games
• D Jared Spurgeon owns 25 points (6-19=25) in 51 contests
• F Nick Foligno has 21 points (3-18=21) in 39 games

Stars Regular Season Leaders

• LW Jamie Benn has 50 points (20-30=50) in 62 career games vs. Minnesota
• RW Mikko Rantanen owns 44 points (17-27=44) in 42 games
• C Matt Duchene has 42 points (14-28=42) in 63 career games
• C Roope Hintz owns 24 points (10-14=24) in 25 games

Around the League

Colorado (D1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2): COL leads 3-0

Vegas (D1) vs. Utah (WC1): UTA leads 2-1

Edmonton (D2) vs. Anaheim (D3): ANA leads 2-1

Buffalo (D1) vs. Boston (WC1): BUF leads 2-1

Tampa Bay (D2) vs. Montreal (D3): MTL leads 2-1

Carolina (D1) vs. Ottawa (WC2): CAR leads 3-0

Pittsburgh (D2) vs. Philadelphia (D3): PHI leads 3-0

At Tonight's Game

• Food Item of the Game: Head to Zamb Icy near Section 121 and enjoy 3 custom cocktails poured over shaved ice!
• BMO Flag Bearer: Molly Paul (10)
• Guardian of the Game: Staff Sergeant Noah Fandrick and Sergeant Sierra Fandrick
• Pre-game Party: Fans can enjoy music, food and drinks at our pre-game party in the Taphouse at Gate 4 beginning at 1:00.
• 25th Anniversary Book Signing: Guests attending the pregame party will be able to purchase the Wild’s 25th Anniversary book, “25 Years in the State of Hockey” ($59.99), including a limited number of Kirill Kaprizov autographed copies ($97). In addition, the author, Bob Showers, will be signing books from 1pm to 4:15pm as a part of the event.
• Retail Item of the Game: The playoffs are here and so is an all new line-up of merchandise. Gear up for the playoffs at the Hockey Lodge a Fanatics Experience!
• Playoff Food Drive: Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate prior to the game! Items will be donated to and benefit The Food Group. Donation bins will be available at all gates.
• Community Partners of the Game: 
  • NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program, formerly Be the Match) | Table Located at Section 124
  • Hockey Day Minnesota 2027: Brainerd | Table Located at Section 121
  • Skate It Forward | Table Located Section 210

View all transactions

On the Mend

Yakov Trenin: upper body (one postseason game missed)

Mats Zuccarello: upper body (two postseason games missed)

Full Injury Report

Connections

• Minnesota General Manager Bill Guerin recorded 159 points (72-87=159) and 337 PIM in 216 games with Dallas
• Wild Hockey Operations Advisor Mike Modano posted 1,359 points (557-802=1,359) in 20 seasons with the North Stars/Stars organization. Modano won the 1999 Stanley Cup with Dallas and previously served as Executive Advisor and Alternate Governor of the Stars for two seasons (2013-15)
• Zuccarello tallied three points (1-2=3) in two regular season games and added 11 points (4-7=11) in 13 playoff games with Dallas (2018-19)
• Oettinger is from Lakeville
• C Sam Steel tallied 28 points (10-18=28), 18 PIM and a plus-11 rating in 65 games in one season with Minnesota (2022-23)

Fast Facts

• The Wild has won four out of the last seven meetings overall (since 12/27/24), including three overtime victories
• The Wild and Stars are meeting in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time, with the Stars earning 4-2 series win in each of the prior two meetings (2023, 2016)

For more information on today's matchup, check out the game notes below.