The Minnesota Wild are on the brink of advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and all eyes are on Game 6 as they host the Dallas Stars at home. A win tonight would send them to a showdown with the Colorado Avalanche—but the Stars, fresh off three straight Western Conference Finals appearances, aren't ready to pack their bags just yet.

Dallas made a notable lineup change ahead of the game, scratching defenseman Tyler Myers—acquired from the Vancouver Canucks at the trade deadline—and inserting Alex Petrovic into the blue line. The move signals a desire for grit and stability as they fight to force a Game 7.

The action started fast. Just under four minutes in, Quinn Hughes carried the puck along the blue line with Wyatt Johnston in hot pursuit, firing a quick wrist shot that Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger turned aside. But Hughes wasn't done. At 6:23, he snapped another shot over Oettinger's glove, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Minnesota nearly doubled the advantage at 8:59 of the first period on a dangerous 2-on-1 rush. Marcus Foligno charged toward the net, but Oettinger stacked his pads to deny him, sending Foligno tumbling into the crease as the score remained 1-0. It was a moment that could shift momentum—or fuel the Wild's hunger for more.

With the Stars fighting for their playoff lives and Kaprizov leading Minnesota's charge, this Game 6 is shaping up to be a battle of wills. Stay tuned as we track every shift, save, and goal live.