The Minnesota Wild are preparing for Game 4 against the Dallas Stars after two consecutive losses, with special teams play emerging as a key area of focus, according to an April 25 update. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt said after Game 3 that the team played well enough to win but acknowledged that small margins can decide games in a tight playoff series.
“I think overall it’s small margins that ends up winning the games,” Wallstedt said.
Head coach John Hynes echoed this sentiment, describing the series as one defined by narrow differences and highlighting special teams as a critical factor. The Wild managed only one power-play goal from Marcus Johansson out of seven opportunities in their latest game, while Dallas capitalized on their chances with three power-play goals, including Wyatt Johnston’s double-overtime winner. Hynes addressed the need for improvement: “We knew coming in that it was going to be a factor. I would say that we had it in Game 1, we didn’t have it in Game 2 and we didn’t have it tonight (Game 3).”
Comparing this year’s performance to their previous playoff meeting three years ago, both teams ranked highly during the regular season for power-play percentage. In that earlier series, Dallas advanced partly due to strong special teams play. This year through three games, Dallas has scored six power-play goals on seventeen chances (35 percent), while Minnesota has struggled recently after starting strong in Game 1.
Injuries have also impacted Minnesota’s lineup. Mats Zuccarello missed Games 2 and 3 due to injury and is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday’s match. His absence has affected chemistry on the power play alongside Kirill Kaprizov. “Mats, it’s always tough to lose someone who play all season in the lineups,” Kaprizov said.
Despite recent setbacks, players remain confident about bouncing back in upcoming games. Quinn Hughes registered significant ice time and emphasized persistence: “You never know when you’re going to get hot on the power play… Might be next game.” Hughes added: “I think we’ve played three really good playoff games so far… We’re going to be ready to go.”