Quinn Hughes Strikes Twice and the Wild Are Already Moving On to Face the Avalanche

The Minnesota Wild are headed to the second round. Quinn Hughes, acquired in a midseason trade, made sure of it by scoring the winner in the third period of Game 6, then adding another goal to seal the deal. The Wild eliminated the Dallas Stars and are now set to face the Avalanche in the Western Conference second round.

Hughes' performance was the difference maker when it mattered most. He opened the scoring with a top-shelf finish, then reclaimed the lead with his second goal of the game as Minnesota closed out the series. It was the kind of statement that reminds you why a midseason acquisition can change everything for a team's playoff push.

The Wild Move Forward

Minnesota's path to the second round came down to closing out at home in Game 6. Hughes' two-goal performance powered them past Dallas, with Johnston capping off a tic-tac-toe passing play for a power play goal earlier in the game. The Wild exchanged handshakes with the Stars after the final buzzer, securing their spot in the next round.

Now they wait to face an Avalanche team that had a first round unlike any other. This matchup will test just how much Hughes' midseason arrival has transformed the Wild's depth and resilience when games matter most.

Chaos Everywhere Else

The first round has been absolutely brutal. The Ducks eliminated the Oilers in Game 6, with injuries and penalty kill struggles sinking Edmonton. The Golden Knights forced overtime against Utah with Dorofeyev scoring in all three periods for his first postseason hat trick. The Flyers are moving on after Vladar's overtime shutout, while the Canadiens stayed alive with Gallagher sparking them to a Game 5 win.

The Ducks will face either the Golden Knights or Mammoth in the second round. Vegas is confident they can rebound after that double overtime thriller against Utah, where Howden pulled free off the boards for a short-handed goal to win it.

What's Next

The Wild's reward for closing out Dallas is a showdown with the Avalanche in the Western Conference second round. After Hughes' performance in Game 6, Minnesota looks ready for the next challenge. This first round has been among the closest in NHL history, and the intensity isn't about to slow down.

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