The Dallas Stars open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, hosting the Minnesota Wild 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.
Stars vs. Wild: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Stars vs. Wild, 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. | vs. Minnesota (American Airlines Center) | ESPN, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS |
| 2 | April 20 (Sun) | 9:30 p.m. | vs. Minnesota (American Airlines Center) | ESPN, SN360, TVAS |
| 3 | April 22 (Tue) | 9:30 p.m. | @ Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center) | TNT, truTV, Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS |
| 4 | April 25 (Fri) | 5:30 p.m. | @ Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center) | TBS, truTV, Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS |
| *5 | April 28 (Tue) | TBD | vs. Minnesota | TBD |
| *6 | April 30 (Thu) | TBD | @ Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center) | TBD |
| *7 | May 2 (Sat) | TBD | vs. Minnesota | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Dallas Stars Playoff FAQ
When do the Dallas Stars start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Dallas Stars open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, hosting the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center. Game 1 begins at 5:30 p.m. ET and airs on ESPN.
Who do the Dallas Stars play in the first round?
Where do the Stars play their 2026 home playoff games?
What TV channels broadcast the Stars-Wild playoff series?
How did the Dallas Stars qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
NHL Playoff and Other Resources
- Full 2026 NHL Playoff TV Schedule and Game Times
- Interactive Bracket Maker
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Info
