Hughes Sends Wild Past Stars Into 2nd Round, Brodin Sidelined for Game 6

Minnesota is moving on. After a back-and-forth battle with Dallas, the Wild closed out the Stars in Game 6 with Hughes scoring the game-winner in the third period. For Dallas, this early exit is tough to swallow. The Stars are headed home while Minnesota advances to face the Avalanche in the second round.

Hughes Delivers When It Counts

Hughes was the difference-maker down the stretch. He scored twice in the game, with his second goal of the night reclaiming the lead and putting the Wild in position to advance. Johnston also contributed a power-play goal in the slot, capping off a tic-tac-toe sequence that showed just how locked in Minnesota's offense was when it mattered most.

Stars Face an Unexpected Exit

Dallas came into this series with playoff expectations, but Game 6 spelled the end of their run. The Stars exchanged handshakes with Minnesota after the final buzzer, their conference tournament hopes officially over. For a team that thought they'd go deeper, this outcome is rough to process.

What's Next for the Wild

Minnesota is heading to the second round to take on the Avalanche, a fresh matchup with plenty of intrigue. Hughes and the Wild have momentum on their side, and they'll look to keep that going against Colorado. For Wallstedt, this early playoff experience has been so much fun, and the Wild will need that energy as they push deeper into the postseason.

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