The Minnesota Wild enter Game 6 against the Dallas Stars holding a 3-2 series lead after a 4-2 win Tuesday, putting them one victory away from advancing past the first round for the first time since 2015.
Minnesota has enjoyed team-wide contributions through the first five games of the series, with forward Kirill Kaprizov leading the team with nine points, but as many as six other players have had at least four points so far.
In net, goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has posted a 2.05 goals-against average and .926 save percentage through five starts, leading the playoff field in both shots faced (162) and saves (150).
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
One of the biggest questions heading into Game 6 surrounded defenseman Jonas Brodin, who exited Game 5 after blocking a shot and did not return. Brodin was seen leaving the arena on crutches.
Per NHL.com's Dan Rosen, head coach John Hynes confirmed on Thursday that Brodin won't play in Game 6.
A day earlier, Hynes had stopped short of ruling him out, keeping all possibilities open for the potential series-clinching game.
“I don’t have an update on him yet. I know he was getting checked out today, but I haven’t seen him today,” Hynes said. “I don’t really want to comment on it yet because usually they let it sit, then he confers with the trainers, or a doctor, and they see where he’s at. And then sometimes you think it’s worse than it is.”
With Brodin unable to play, Minnesota is expected to turn to depth options on the blue line, with Zach Bogosian sliding into the third defensive pairing.
The Wild, who finished the regular season at 46-24-12, have a chance to close out a Dallas team that went 50-20-12 but has been dealing with key absences of its own, including those of Nils Lundkvist and Roope Hintz, both unavailble for Thursday.
Puck drop for Game 6 between the Wild and the Stars is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in St. Paul, MN.
