The Minnesota Wild are closing in on their first series win since 2015

DALLAS — The Minnesota Wild Now one win away from advancing to the second round for the first time in more than a decade.

And they’re in that position after stifling one of the NHL’s best attacks in a 4-2 win on Tuesday. Dallas Stars Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

The series resumes Thursday in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the Wild made the first of two attempts to capture a playoff series last time in 2015 when they beat St. Louis Blues In the second round before losing in six games Chicago Blackhawks.

“I think we have those guys here now,” the Wild forward said. Marcus Folignowho has been with the franchise since 2017 “I think it’s a little different. I think we have a lot of leadership and guys that are experienced. You get a guy like that Michael McCarron Step that up tonight. Our penalty kill works and goaltending. I just think that every night someone has stepped up to help this team.”

Opening the series with a 6-1 victory was immense for a few reasons. This gave the Wild the upper hand and their first Game 1 playoff series since 2023. Additionally, it also showed that the Wild can create and capitalize on scoring opportunities, a sign of growth from a team that struggled to do both in previous playoff trips.

The way they stuck with the Stars, who reached three straight Western Conference finals in consecutive overtime contests in Games 3 and 4, reinforced how comfortable they performed in the conditions.

What they accomplished on Tuesday is the latest example of how this iteration of the Wild looks to be quite different compared to previous versions. Their aggressive backchecks and oppressive forechecks saw them find multiple ways to frustrate a Stars attack that finished the regular season in the top 10 in goals per game.

Overall, the Wild are now one game away from the second round and are also raising questions about whether they are even serious about challenging the power dynamic in the West.

“The players decided they care, they understand what their assignments are and their attention to detail is strong on that,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “Through the lineup, you look (Kirill) Kaprizov and (Matt) it happenedFor example or (Quinn Hughes) where they’re offensive guys and you see it, but their commitment to defense is as important to them as playing offense.”

Matt Zuccarellowho returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with an upper-body injury, got his team off to a quick start with the opening goal just over four minutes into the first period. The goalkeeper of the stars Jake Oettinger Made the initial save but the rebound from that save resulted in an exposed Zuccarello.

The Stars first drew level in the middle Miro Heiskanen A power-play goal led to what eventually turned out to be one of the few chances the Wild allowed.

Natural Stat Trick’s metrics show that the Stars’ shot-share in 5-on-5 plays was 61.18% which means they controlled possession. Disconnected, however, the Wild were consistently overshadowed by any star player who had the puck regardless of how they got in front of the puck.

Just how effective were the Wild getting in front of the puck? They finished with 26 blocked shots to complement the rookie goalies Jesper Walstead Finishing with 20 saves.

Dallas’ frustration extended to taking too many skater penalties that led to Boldi firing a wrist shot for his fourth postseason goal and a 2-1 lead with 30.7 seconds left in the period.

Boldi’s late-period salvo, though it gave his team the lead, wasn’t the most damaging aspect of how the period closed for the Stars.

The Stars were trying to mount a comeback in the third period after nearly 198 minutes of 5-on-5 scoring.

“We’re comfortable at 5-on-5,” the Wild defenseman Brock Faber Said “They’ve got to push, too. They’re going to push where they dominate us 5-on-5. We’ve got to fight them and do what we do.”

McCarron, who was acquired by the Wild before the trade deadline, pushed the lead to 3-1 with 12:13 left for a goal that would eventually force Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan to take a more aggressive approach.

Gulutzan pulled Oettinger with about four minutes remaining to create a 6-on-5 that would see Jason Robertson Trim the lead to 3-2 with 3:21 left.

The comeback attempt was short-lived, however, as Kaprizov fought for a loose puck against Heiskanen that would have seen him double the lead to 4-2 and stay one win away from the second round.

Now scoring four goals against the Stars means the Wild enter Wednesday tied for third in the NHL in goals scored this postseason. Allowing 2.60 goals per game means they are a top-five unit when their defensive structure works in tandem with Walstead.

It all adds up to the fact that the Wild look like one of the more complete teams in the NHL now that they’re past the midway point of the first round.

“I think we’re trying to be in this position every year,” said Zuccarello, who has been with the Wild since 2019. “I think it’s just important to stay calm and not overthink it and not read into everything you say about how we haven’t gotten out of the first round in a couple of years.

“It’s going to be some tough games and these guys are going to be ready. … It’s not going to be easy.”