NHL Playoffs: Wild Push Stars to the Brink While Oilers and Bruins Survive

NHL Playoffs: Wild Push Stars to the Brink While Oilers Survive The Stanley Cup Playoffs are delivering exactly the kind of chaos and drama we've come to expect. Tuesday night's Game 5s featured incredible individual performances, season-saving goals, and a team looking to break a massive playoff drought. Here is what you need to know about the latest action and how it impacts the betting markets. The Wild Are One Win Away The Minnesota Wild are officially on the verge of their first playoff series victory since 2015. They defeated the Dallas Stars 4-2 to take a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference First Round. The star of the show was Kirill Kaprizov, who put the team on his back with a goal and two assists, factoring into three of the Wild's four goals. The big story for Minnesota was the return of Mats Zuccarello. After missing the previous three games with an upper-body injury, Zuccarello didn't miss a beat, scoring the game's opening goal just under four minutes into the first period. Matt Boldy also continued his strong play with a power-play goal and an assist, while Jesper Wallstedt turned aside 20 shots to secure the win. For Dallas, the offense is struggling at 5-on-5. The Stars managed a power-play goal from Miro Heiskanen and an extra-attacker goal from Jason Robertson late in the third, but they couldn't consistently generate high-danger chances against a suffocating Wild defense. Speaking of Robertson, his goal extended his playoff goal streak to eight games dating back to the 2025 Western Conference Final, making him a solid look for anytime goalscorer props moving forward. The series now shifts back to Minnesota for Game 6 on Thursday. The Wild will undoubtedly be favored at home, but closing out a series is always the hardest part. The under might be an appealing play here, as the Wild will likely lean on their structured defensive game to secure the series win. Draisaitl Keeps the Oilers Alive The Edmonton Oilers were staring elimination in the face, trailing the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in their series. When your season is on the line, you need your best players to step up, and Leon Draisaitl did exactly that. Draisaitl scored twice to lead the Oilers to a 4-1 victory in Game 5, forcing a Game 6 back in Anaheim. This series has been a fascinating watch for bettors. The Ducks have been a tough out, but the Oilers' high-end talent can never be counted out. Draisaitl's multi-goal performance is a reminder of why backing superstar player props in elimination games is often a profitable strategy. Game 6 will be a massive test for Edmonton on the road, and the Ducks will be desperate to avoid a Game 7 scenario where anything can happen. Pastrnak Plays Hero in Boston In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins also kept their season alive with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres. The hero of the night was none other than David Pastrnak, who buried a "saucy breakaway goal" in the extra frame to force Game 6. Playoff hockey in overtime is the ultimate sweat for bettors, and this game was no exception. The Bruins' ability to grind out a low-scoring, tight-checking game speaks to their experience. The total (Under) was the right play in this one, and with the series continuing, expect more tight-checking hockey as the pressure mounts. --- Related reading: - NHL Playoffs 2026: Game 4 Recap — Oilers, Sabres, and Stars Fight to Survive - NHL Playoffs 2026: Sweeps on the Horizon as Avalanche and Hurricanes Dominate - Wembanyama's Concussion, SGA's Clutch Award, and the NHL Playoffs Heat Up