The Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] (46-24-12) is set to open the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday against the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/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. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wilds-rookie-goaltender-jesper-wallstedt-will-start-game-1-vs-dallas] 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. For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*100me45*_ga*MTA5MzI2ODIxLjE3NjUzMjk0MDY.*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjkwMDM1NTMkbzE2MiRnMSR0MTc2OTAwNjQyNiRqNTYkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com. RECENT WILD STORIES Wild's Quinn Hughes Not On The Ice For Practice Before Playoffs [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/95a1a735-a528-47ad-aeb3-2cc0e5b8367d.png] Wild's Quinn Hughes Not On The Ice For Practice Before Playoffs A key defenseman's absence from practice raises playoff questions. Will he be ready to face the Stars? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wilds-quinn-hughes-not-on-the-ice-for-practice-before-playoffs] - Wild's Game 1 Starter No Longer Obvious After Gustavsson's Struggles, Wallstedt's Push. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-s-game-1-starter-no-longer-obvious-amid-gustavsson-s-struggles] - Wild Are Back In The Playoffs On An NHL Record Run. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/minnesota-wild-clinch-playoffs-adding-to-nhl-best-run-of-postseason-appearances] - Wild Sign Top Prospect Charlie Stramel To A Three-Year Entry-Level Deal. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-sign-top-prospect-charlie-stramel-to-an-entry-level-deal] - Wild's Vladimir Tarasenko Has Rediscovered His Scoring Prowess. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/he-s-a-really-smart-player-vladimir-tarasenko-has-rediscovered-his-scoring-prowess] - Yakov Trenin Breaks Minnesota Wild Single-Season Hits Record. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/yakov-trenin-breaks-minnesota-wild-single-season-hits-record]
