Quinn Hughes Scores the Winner and the Wild Are Going to the Second Round, Leaving Dallas in the Dust

The Minnesota Wild are moving on. Quinn Hughes, who arrived via midseason trade, buried the game winner in the third period of Game 6 and sent the Dallas Stars packing. This is what contenders do in the playoffs, and Hughes proved he was the missing piece the Wild needed to get out of the first round.

Hughes Changes Everything for Minnesota

Hughes scored twice in Game 6, with that third period winner being the dagger Dallas couldn't answer. The Wild are heading to the Western Conference Second Round to face the Colorado Avalanche, and they have Hughes and that deadline acquisition to thank for it. This wasn't supposed to be a team that could make noise in April, but here they are. Johnston capped off a tic-tac-toe passing play with a power play goal in the slot, showing just how dangerous Minnesota can be when they're rolling.

Around the Bracket: Oilers Done, Flyers Advance

The Edmonton Oilers fell short of the high expectations they came in with. The Anaheim Ducks eliminated them in Game 6, with Terry and Carlsson combining to build a 4-1 lead. Gauthier notched a power play goal for a 3-1 first period advantage, and Kreider buried a one-timer on the rush for a 2-0 lead. The Ducks will face either the Golden Knights or the Mammoth in the second round.

On the other side of the bracket, the Philadelphia Flyers are moving on too. York sent them to the Second Round with an overtime winner in Game 6. The Flyers are ready for a "clean slate" as they head into round two.

What's Next

The Wild get their chance to prove they belong against an Avalanche team that has time to rest before the second round begins. Minnesota came out of nowhere in the first round, and now they've got a chance to do something special.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.