The Wild beat the Stars 5-2 for their first playoff series win in 11 years

ST. Paul, Minn. — Quinn Hughes led by Minnesota Wilds scored twice, first playoff series win in 11 years 5-2 win on Dallas Stars Thursday night game at 6.

Minnesota will face the winner of the Presidents Trophy Colorado Haven’t played since being swept by the Avalanche in the second round Los Angeles sunday

The Wild won a playoff series for the first time in 10 tries since 2015. The last eight have come in the first round, against Dallas in 2016 and 2023.

After Hughes broke the tie midway through the third period, Matt Boldy His team-leading fifth and sixth goals of the series sealed the empty net. Vladimir Tarasenko Also goals and Jesper Walstead Made 22 saves.

Hughes, acquired from Vancouver In the biggest trade in franchise history in December, the left took a shot from the point that deflected off the skates of the star defenseman. Ilya Lybushkin and past goalkeepers Jake Oettinger. Hughes also had an assist.

All three wild goals came at full strength. Minnesota has outscored Dallas 17-5 in the even-strength series, including 12-4 in five-of-five.

Watt Johnston And Maverick Bourque Scored for Dallas. Johnston scored a league-high 10th power-play goal of the postseason for the Stars. Minnesota scored three power-play goals in the series.

Hughes opened the scoring in the first period, and Johnston converted a pass Miko Rantanen Tied for second in power-play goals.

A fortuitous bounce off the end board went to Bourque, who stepped up quickly before transitioning to his forehand for an easy goal with 3:42 left in the second.

Tarasenko answered for Minnesota 54 seconds later. He tipped a redirected shot at himself, and fell to his knees and scored on a backhander for his 50th career postseason goal.