Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars Game 2 odds, picks and predictions

The Minnesota Wild visit the Dallas Stars Wednesday for Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Puck drop from American Airlines Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Wild vs. Stars odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Wild managed a subpar 2-3-2 record in the final 7 games of the regular season, but somebody forgot to inform Minnesota that it was an underdog heading into Game 1, and a big-time 'dog in the series. But here the Wild are with a 1-0 series lead after a 3-2 double-overtime victory Monday.

Kirill Kaprizov got the party started with a power-play goal in the final minute of the 1st period, giving Minnesota the 1-0 lead.

In the 2nd period, it was Roope Hintz answering for Dallas on the power play, while Jason Robertson also notched a goal on the man advantage, and the hometown crowd was electric again. However, Sam Steel splashed cold water on the crowd, and the Stars, leveling the score at 2-2 with 5:35 left in the 2nd. Then, the offensive spigot was slammed shut.

There was no score in the 3rd period or in the 1st overtime period, as Filip Gustavsson and Jake Oettinger exchanged donuts. Ryan Hartman, who was wobbled by a hit earlier in the game, kept on in the game, and was the hero for the Wild in the 2nd overtime with a winner on an assist from Steel. And just for you trivia buffs, Hartman is the 1st player in NHL history born in the state of South Carolina.