Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) defends the goal against Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) and center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) challenge during the first period of Game 3 in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbie Parr/AP
The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild played nearly 100 minutes of hockey on Wednesday. They’ll line up again Saturday to play another 60 — at least.
The Stars and the Wild are set to continue their first-round playoff series with Game 4 on Saturday in Minnesota. Dallas takes a 2-1 series lead into the matchup after their double-overtime winner in Game 3.
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Who’s the hero tonight? Can the Stars take a commanding lead over rival Minnesota, or will the Wild even this best-of-7 series before it heads back to Dallas?
Follow along below for live updates, highlights, photos, game stories and more from another intense playoff matchup.
Game stories
— Five thoughts from Stars-Wild, G4: Dallas lets one slip away
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Game updates
FINAL: Wild 3, Stars 2
The Wild win it in the final minute in overtime off a deflection from Matt Boldy. This first-round series heads back to Dallas tied at two games apiece.
8:30 remaining in overtime: Jake Oettinger is keeping the Stars alive in Game 4 with some tremendous saves.
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12:03 remaining in overtime: Minnesota gets several chances in OT but Jake Oettinger holds up.
Minnesota had so many good looks there, and Dallas survives. Wow.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 26, 2026
End of regulation
Stars 2, Wild 2: This tense series heads to overtime for a second straight game. Last time it nearly took two full extra frames to determine a winner. They’ll play until there’s a goal yet again.
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Stars 2, Wild 2
5:20 remaining, third period: Minnesota’s Marcus Foligno ties the game with just over five minutes remaining. Foligno has had numerous run-ins with the Stars this series but comes up huge in Game 4.
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8:05 remaining, third period: The Stars are somehow unable to put this puck in the net and Game 4 remains a one-goal game.
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End of second period
Stars 2, Wild 1: Dallas dominated the second period in possession and shots on goal and finally cashed in late in the period thanks to Heiskanen’s power play goal. The Stars are 20 minutes from a 3-1 series lead heading back to Dallas.
Stars 2, Wild 1
0:35 remaining, second period: The Stars reclaim the lead thanks to a Miro Heiskanen snipe. Dallas capitlizes on the power play and will take the lead heading into the third period.
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2:15 remaining, first period: The Stars will get a late power play opportunity after Jamie Benn takes a stick to the face. Chance to take the lead for Dallas heading into the second intermission.
6:00 remaining, second period: Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist was called for a tripping call, and in the process ended up taking a skate to the face on the play. He exited the Stars bench and went back down the tunnel.
Scary moment as Nils Lundkvist takes Michael McCarron’s skate to the face 🤕
Lundkvist was cut and has gone to the room for repairs. pic.twitter.com/Y74rRMsWwV
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 25, 2026
End of first period
Stars 1, Wild 1: Oettinger and the Stars hold off a power play flurry at the end of the period and keep the Wild out of the net. Tied game after 20 minutes.
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1:27 remaining, first period: The Wild thought they took a 2-1 lead, but the referees wave off the goal after ruling that Joel Eriksson Ek shoved Miro Heiskanen into Jake Oettinger on the play.
2:00 remaining, first period: Wyatt Johnston commits the Stars’ third minor penalty of the period and they’ll go back on the penalty kill after a high sticking call.
Stars 1, Wild 1
6:08 remaining, first period: The Stars get an unfortunate bounce off Miro Heiskanen in front and the puck deflects past Jake Oettinger to tie Game 4.
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8:10 remaining, first period: The second minor expires and the Stars retain their 1-0 lead through the Wild’s pair of power plays. A tale of special teams for the Stars thus far.
10:10 remaining, first period: Out goes Bourque, in goes Lian Bichsel after another Stars penalty. The kill is getting early work in in Game 4.
12:13 remaining, first period: The Stars will be tested on the penalty kill for the first time after a roughing call on Mavrik Bourque.
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Stars 1, Wild 0
14:25 remaining, first period: The Stars strike first, once again on the power play. Jason Robertson slams home a rebound and the Stars are once again out to an early lead.
15:39 remaining, first period: Jake Oettinger makes a big save on Ryan Hartman, who then slams into Oettinger and is called for a goaltender interference penalty.
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The Stars will get the first power play of the evening.
Pregame updates
Stars lines for Game 4 in Minnesota:
Hryckowian-Johnston-Rantanen
Robertson-Duchene-Bourque
Steel-Hyry-Benn
Bäck-Faksa-Blackwell
Lindell-Heiskanen
Harley-Lundkvist
Bichsel-Myers
Oettinger
DeSmith
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 25, 2026
Back at Grand Casino Arena for Game 4.
The Stars are seeking their third straight win. The Wild are looking to even the series before it heads back to Dallas. pic.twitter.com/kzRRjlZfmc
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 25, 2026
Dallas is going with the same lineup for Game 4 as the last two games.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 25, 2026
Mats Zuccarello is out again for the Wild, per John Hynes.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 25, 2026
Game details
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Where:Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, Minn.
TV/streaming:Victory+; TBS
Radio:”The Ticket” Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 AM
Game 4 preview
— Stars’ Miro Heiskanen is only getting better (and healthier) since return to ice vs. Wild
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— Stars rode top players through three games, but depth test awaits vs. Wild
— How Glen Gulutzan helped Stars snatch momentum in series vs. Minnesota
— Stars’ Roope Hintz takes positive step in injury recovery, but ‘still a ways away’
More pregame reading
— Mike Modano Q&A: Stars legend, Wild adviser breaks down playoff series
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