ST. PAUL, Minn. — Quinn Hughes powered Minnesota to its first playoff series win in 11 years, netting two goals in the Wild’s 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 on Thursday night.
Minnesota will now take on the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the second round. The Avalanche have been resting since sweeping Los Angeles on Sunday.
The Wild secured a playoff series victory for the first time in 10 attempts since 2015. They had fallen to Dallas in the opening round back in 2016 and 2023.
“I saw our fans when we scored that fourth goal—I looked back through the glass and spotted someone crying in the stands,” said Jesper Wallstedt, who stopped 22 shots. “I realize how huge this is for our fan base. It’s not just us; so many more people are on this road and journey with us. The excitement and joy of getting past the first round is massive.”
After Hughes broke the tie in the middle of the third period, Matt Boldy added his team-high fifth and sixth goals of the series into empty nets to close it out. Vladimir Tarasenko also found the net.
The fourth line featuring the Foligno brothers, Marcus and Nick, along with Nico Sturm, delivered 15 of Minnesota’s 32 hits.
“If you ask anyone in this team or group, everyone feels something special,” said Kirill Kaprizov, who tallied two goals and seven assists across the series. “We built it all season, and the guys who stepped in for the playoffs did a great job. When a team wants to make a long run, all four lines have to be rolling.”
Hughes, brought in from Vancouver in December in the biggest trade in franchise history, fired a shot from the left circle that deflected off Dallas defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin’s skate and past goaltender Jake Oettinger. He also picked up an assist.
“Big-time players step up in big-time games, and that’s exactly what he did,” fellow defenseman Brock Faber said.
All three of Minnesota’s goals in the clincher came at even strength. The Wild outscored Dallas 17-5 at even strength for the series, including 12-4 at 5-on-5.
“Lots of talk will go to 5-on-5 scoring, but the reality is territory in this series was pretty even,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “I’d even give us the territorial edge, but we just didn’t defend well enough.”
Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque scored for Dallas. Johnston added the league-high 10th power-play goal of the postseason for the Stars. Minnesota recorded three power-play goals in the series.
Hughes opened the scoring in the first period, and Johnston tied it in the second with a power-play goal off a pass from Mikko Rantanen.
A lucky bounce off the end boards set up Bourque, who made a quick move and shifted to his forehand for an easy tally with 3:42 remaining in the second.
Tarasenko responded just 54 seconds later for Minnesota. He tipped a redirected shot to himself, and while dropping to his knees, scored on a backhander for his 50th career postseason goal.
“Vladdy has won two Stanley Cups already,” Kaprizov said. “He knows what it takes in the playoffs.”
Wallstedt makes 36 saves, Boldy has goal and assist in Wild’s 2-0 win over Flames – KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News