🏒 Stars vs. Wild Prediction & Odds for Game 6: NHL Picks Today (April 30)

After eight straight first-round exits, the Minnesota Wild can finally advance to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2015 with a win tonight over the Dallas Stars.

However, our Stars vs. Wild prediction for tonight's clash at Grand Casino Arena (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV and Sportsnet) projects that Minnesota fans will have to wait at least a couple of more days to celebrate. Read on to learn why I'm backing Dallas at a short underdog price, along with a score prediction and best player prop bet for Game 6.

🏒 Stars vs. Wild picks & odds today: April 30

See all of our experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.

Total wagered: 2.5 units | Max profit: 2.35 units

🏆 Who will win Stars vs. Wild?

The Stars have shone brightly all season on the road (second-best road record in the NHL) and they'll get the job done again tonight in a must-win spot. I'm taking Dallas to win this one by two goals, busting out of their even-strength scoring slump in the process.

Score prediction: Stars 4, Wild 2

💰 Stars vs. Wild prediction & best bet

Over 5.5 (-115)

In spite of the fact that Dallas has scored just three 5-on-5 goals in this series, four of the first five games have featured six goals or more. I'll back another fairly high-scoring affair tonight with a Stars attack that has attempted more shots than Minnesota at even strength in these playoffs. The Wild should contribute at least a couple of goals to this total as well after scoring 3+ in four of the five games, but their back end could be without veteran blueliner Jonas Brodin due to injury.

🔥 Best Stars vs. Wild player prop bet

Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 shots (-105)

Rantanen is among the Stars who are catching heat for a lack of 5-on-5 production, but his under-the-hood numbers suggest it's just a matter of time. The veteran winger is tied for second on the team in shot attempts in this series, but more than half of them have been blocked. He has also generated at least 0.4 expected goals in three of his last four games, collecting six points during that stretch.

With Dallas' season on the line tonight, expect Rantanen - who ranks second among forwards in ice time - to carry an even heavier workload. DraftKings' -105 price is great value in a market where I'd be comfortable backing Rantanen up to -120, but you may also want to consider playing a Rantanen anytime goal as well.

🚀 Stars vs. Wild same-game parlay

With Dallas' season on the line, I'll bank on a fast start and an early goal from the Stars. That should force Minnesota to open things up, leading to a higher-scoring game. Rantanen leads the way for Dallas, while Boldy records at least four shots for the sixth straight time in the series. 

💡 How I'm betting Stars vs. Wild

Follow all of our NHL analysis and expert predictions this season.

The Stars' 5-on-5 scoring woes are the series' biggest talking point, so I'm expecting Dallas' focus to be on generating more offense. Meanwhile, Minnesota has scored at least three goals in four of five games despite struggles from its powerplay. The potential for positive regression from both teams' attacks makes me more confident in the total than the side, so I'm allocating larger stakes on the Over and player props than I am on the Stars moneyline.

📊 Live Stars vs. Wild odds: Game 6

FanDuel opened the Stars as short -102 moneyline underdogs, but that line has gradually drifted towards Minnesota as high as -125 at Caesars. The Over 5.5 has gotten a little cheaper than FanDuel's -122 opener, but we could see that price climb a bit throughout the day considering four of the first five games have seen at least six goals.

📈 Stars vs. Wild betting trends

🚑 Stars vs. Wild injuries

📺 How to watch Stars vs. Wild Game 6

• Date: Thursday, April 30
• Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, MN
• TV: TNT, truTV, Sportsnet
• Streaming: HBO MAX