The Minnesota Wild begin the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, on the road against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Dallas earned the No. 2 seed in the Central Division with 112 points, while Minnesota qualified as the Central’s third seed with 104 points. Game 1 airs on ESPN, with the series continuing on TNT and TBS through the first round.
Wild vs. Stars: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Wild vs. Stars, via the NHL’s official first round schedule. Games 5 through 7 are if necessary.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Site | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 18 (Fri) | 5:30 p.m. | @ Dallas (American Airlines Center) | ESPN, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS |
| 2 | April 20 (Sun) | 9:30 p.m. | @ Dallas (American Airlines Center) | ESPN, SN360, TVAS |
| 3 | April 22 (Tue) | 9:30 p.m. | vs. Dallas (Xcel Energy Center) | TNT, truTV, Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS |
| 4 | April 25 (Fri) | 5:30 p.m. | vs. Dallas (Xcel Energy Center) | TBS, truTV, Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS |
| *5 | April 28 (Tue) | TBD | @ Dallas | TBD |
| *6 | April 30 (Thu) | TBD | vs. Dallas (Xcel Energy Center) | TBD |
| *7 | May 2 (Sat) | TBD | @ Dallas | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Minnesota Wild Playoff FAQ
When do the Minnesota Wild start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Minnesota Wild open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, on the road against the Dallas Stars. Game 1 begins at 5:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center and airs on ESPN.
Who do the Minnesota Wild play in the first round?
The Minnesota Wild face the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dallas earned the No. 2 seed in the Central Division with 112 points, while Minnesota qualified as the Central’s third seed with 104 points.
Where do the Wild play their 2026 home playoff games?
The Minnesota Wild play their 2026 first round home games at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Games 3, 4, and 6 (if necessary) are scheduled at Xcel Energy Center, which seats approximately 17,954 for hockey.
What TV channels broadcast the Wild-Stars playoff series?
Games 1 and 2 air on ESPN. Game 3 airs on TNT, truTV, and Max. Game 4 airs on TBS, truTV, and Max. Canadian viewers can watch on SN, SN360, SNO, SNW, SNP, and TVAS throughout the series.
How did the Minnesota Wild qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
The Minnesota Wild qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Central Division, finishing the regular season with 104 points. Minnesota drew the Central’s second seed, the Dallas Stars (112 points), in the first round.
NHL Playoff and Other Resources
- Full 2026 NHL Playoff TV Schedule and Game Times
- Interactive Bracket Maker
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Info
