Wild fans hold their breath as Game 1 looms. Key defenseman Quinn Hughes' absence from practice fuels crucial pre-game questions.
The Minnesota Wild (46-24-12) is set to open the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday against the Dallas Stars (50-20-12) in Dallas.
One huge question coming into this series is who is starting in net for the Wild? Well, head coach John Hynes has announced the Game 1 starter.
The other question emerged on Thursday when Quinn Hughes was not on the ice with the Wild.
After the skate, Hynes said Hughes was sick and will join the team on the plane to Dallas.
Unfortunately, Hughes was not on the plane and did not practice with the team on Friday. The eve of Game 1.
Hynes said after the skate in Dallas on Friday, Hughes was en route to Dallas.
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