Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild: Game 1 of the 2024 NHL Playoffs Set for Tonight at American Airlines Center
The Dallas Stars are set to host the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight at 4:30 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center. The matchup marks the beginning of a highly anticipated Western Conference series between two Central Division rivals who battled throughout the regular season for playoff positioning.
Dallas earned the Central Division title and the Western Conference’s second seed with a 52-21-9 record, accumulating 113 points. Minnesota finished third in the division with a 45-26-11 record and 101 points, securing the seventh seed in the West. The Stars hold a 3-1 advantage in the season series against the Wild, including a 4-2 victory in their most recent meeting on April 11.
Game 1 will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and streamed via ESPN+. The puck drops at 4:30 p.m. CT, with coverage beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT on ESPN’s pregame show. Local fans can tune in to WFAA Channel 8 for over-the-air broadcast in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Key Storylines Heading into Game 1
Several factors could influence the outcome of tonight’s opener:
- Stars’ Home Ice Advantage: Dallas went 28-10-3 at home during the regular season, posting the third-best home record in the NHL. The Stars have won five of their last six home games and are 12-3-1 in their last 16 home playoff games dating back to 2020.
- Wild’s Road Resilience: Minnesota posted a 20-15-6 record on the road this season, including a 4-2 win in Dallas during the regular season. The Wild have won three of their last five road games and are led by a strong defensive structure under head coach John Hynes.
- Goaltending Matchup: Dallas starter Jake Oettinger, a Vezina Trophy finalist, finished the season with a 2.57 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. Minnesota’s Filip Gustavsson posted a 2.71 GAA and .910 save percentage, giving the Wild a reliable netminder capable of stealing games.
- Special Teams Edge: The Stars ranked fourth in the NHL on the power play (24.8%) and fifth on the penalty kill (83.2%). Minnesota ranked 18th on the power play (19.4%) but 10th on the penalty kill (81.8%), giving Dallas a clear advantage in special teams situations.
Player to Watch: Jason Robertson
Dallas forward Jason Robertson leads the Stars in points (41 goals, 63 assists) and was a finalist for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. He recorded two points in the season-finale against the Wild and has posted at least one point in seven of his last eight games. Robertson’s ability to drive offense will be critical against a Wild team that allowed the sixth-fewest goals per game (2.68) in the league.
On the Minnesota side, Kirill Kaprizov remains the Wild’s most dangerous offensive threat. The Russian winger led Minnesota in scoring with 36 goals and 49 assists and has a history of elevating his game in playoff settings, including a game-winning overtime goal in Game 6 of the 2022 first-round series against the St. Louis Blues.
Injury Updates
As of the pregame warmups, both teams are expected to be at full strength:
- Dallas Stars: No significant injuries reported. Defenseman Miro Heiskanen is cleared to play after missing the final two games of the regular season with a lower-body issue.
- Minnesota Wild: Forward Matt Boldy is available after being listed as day-to-day with an illness earlier in the week. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon, who missed the final three games of the regular season, is expected to return to the lineup.
How to Watch and Listen
Viewers can catch the game live on ESPN or stream it via the ESPN app with a valid cable login or ESPN+ subscription. Spanish-language coverage is available on ESPN Deportes. For radio listeners, the game will be broadcast on KTCK “The Ticket” 1310 AM/96.7 FM in Dallas and KFAN 100.3 FM in Minneapolis.
Live updates, highlights, and post-game analysis will be available on the NHL’s official website, the Dallas Stars’ site, and through the team’s social media channels.
Looking Ahead
If the Stars win Game 1, they will glance to build momentum in Game 2 on Thursday, also at 4:30 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center. The series will shift to Minnesota for Games 3 and 5 (if necessary) at the Xcel Energy Center, with potential Games 4 and 6 returning to Dallas.
Winner of this series will advance to face either the Vancouver Canucks or the Nashville Predators in the second round, depending on the outcome of the other Western Conference first-round matchup.
With home ice, a hot offense, and elite goaltending, the Dallas Stars enter tonight’s opener as slight favorites. But the Wild’s playoff experience and disciplined play make them a dangerous opponent capable of stealing a win on the road.
Stay tuned for live coverage and instant analysis as the puck drops at 4:30 p.m. CT.