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Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The NHL regular season continues with a Central Division matchup as the Minnesota Wild visit the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Wild enter at 2-1-0 after holding off the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in a shootout, while the Stars are unbeaten at 2-0-0 and look to stay perfect in their home opener. Puck drop is set for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Dallas, led by head coach Glen Gulutzan, is off to a strong start with wins over Colorado and another divisional rival. The Wild, guided by John Hynes, have leaned heavily on their power play early in the season, scoring all seven of their goals with the man advantage.
Line Movement and Odds
The Dallas Stars open as -198 favorites on the moneyline, while the Minnesota Wild sit at +165. The total is set at 5.5 goals, with the over priced at -132 and the under at +110.
Dallas has drawn early betting action after their 2-0 start, driven by strong even-strength play and Jake Oettinger’s steady goaltending. Minnesota’s power play has been elite, but fatigue could factor in with back-to-back games.
For up-to-date numbers, line movements, and team trends, visit the NHL odds page.
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Matchup Breakdown
Minnesota’s early-season success has been powered by their top line of Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Joel Eriksson Ek, who have combined for 13 points. The Wild have 13 goals and 22 assists through three games, and their 60 hits and 46 blocks show their willingness to play physically.
The Stars, meanwhile, bring a deep and balanced lineup. Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston have each scored twice, while Thomas Harley has anchored the blue line with nine blocks. Goalie Jake Oettinger has been outstanding, stopping 56 shots over two starts. Dallas’ strength at both ends of the ice has been the difference early on, especially at even strength where they’ve outscored opponents 7-3.
The Wild’s challenge will be maintaining composure against Dallas’ forecheck and staying out of the penalty box — something they struggled with last season when facing the Stars’ top-ranked power play.
Injuries and Lineup Notes
Minnesota’s depth is being tested early, with Mats Zuccarello out due to a lower-body injury and several forwards still unavailable. Cameron Butler, Stevie Leskovar, Nico Sturm, and Michael Milne remain sidelined, forcing coach John Hynes to juggle lines. You can find complete player status updates in the Minnesota Wild injury report.
Dallas has its own injury concerns. Jamie Benn (lung) and Kyle McDonald (knee) are both out, and Oskar Bäck joins the list with an undisclosed issue. Still, players like Nils Lundkvist and Mason Marchment have filled key roles effectively. For the latest roster updates, check the Dallas Stars injury report.
Best Bets and Prediction
The Stars enter as clear favorites on home ice, powered by elite goaltending and offensive balance. Jake Oettinger remains undefeated in regulation against Minnesota, holding a 7-0-3 record with a .922 save percentage in 12 career meetings.
The Wild’s power play could keep things interesting, but their even-strength play and injuries may limit their scoring depth. Expect Dallas to control tempo and shots on goal, especially late.
The total is set at 5.5 goals. Both goaltenders — Oettinger for Dallas and Filip Gustavsson for Minnesota — are capable of limiting scoring opportunities. The model projects a 3-2 Dallas win, making the best bets Dallas moneyline (-198) and the under 5.5 (+110).
Handicappers to Follow
If you’re betting this matchup, see how verified NHL experts are playing it on the ScoresAndStats NHL Picks page. Every pick is timestamped and tracked on the Handicapper Leaderboard, so you can follow which cappers are heating up early this season.
For a deeper dive into advanced stats, betting splits, and team metrics before placing your wager, check the Expert Betting Guide for NHL.
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