Matt Boldy’s Overtime Winner Ties Series as Minnesota Wild Defeat Dallas Stars in Game 4

In a dramatic finish to Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round, Matt Boldy scored on a deflection with 29 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The goal tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2 and sent the Wild’s bench into celebration after a hard-fought battle.

Boldy’s winner came off a point shot from defenseman Jared Spurgeon, which he redirected past Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger at the left post. “It was a great forecheck by Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov, and a great shot by Jared,” Boldy said after the game. “I was just lucky enough to have it hit my stick and move in.”

The goal initially appeared to reach earlier in the overtime period, but was waved off due to a kicking motion review. Boldy acknowledged the call immediately, saying, “The kick one I basically knew right away. It was just kind of a natural reaction.”

Minnesota had trailed 2-1 entering the third period before Marcus Foligno tied the game at 2-2 with 14:40 remaining in regulation. Foligno controlled his own rebound while falling over Oettinger at the left post and backhanded the puck into the net. “There’s a lot of belief in here,” Foligno said. “These are two unreal teams, and we’ve got to understand they’re a heck of a hockey club and it’s going to take this type of effort every night against this squad.”

Brock Faber contributed a goal and an assist for the Wild, while Kaprizov recorded two assists. Jesper Wallstedt made 43 saves, including nine in overtime, to earn the win for Minnesota, the No. 3 seed in the Central Division. “We just keep fighting, keep getting pucks to the net,” Wallstedt said. “We keep playing and we never give up.”

For Dallas, Wyatt Duchene and Mikko Rantanen each recorded two assists. The Stars, seeded second in the Central Division, now face elimination pressure as the series shifts back to Dallas for Game 5.

The Wild’s resilience was evident throughout the contest, particularly after dropping Game 3 in double overtime. “We took a lot of positives out of that loss and we got rewarded tonight,” Foligno added.

With the series now tied, both teams return to action as the playoff battle intensifies, with each squad knowing one more win could shift momentum decisively.