NFL playoff picture: What Seahawks win over Panthers means for NFC standings in Week 17

NFL playoff picture: What Seahawks win over Panthers means for NFC standings in Week 17

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SNF update: The 49ers beat the Bears in a wild 42-38 shootout. This means the Week 18 Seahawks-49ers game at Levi’s Stadium will be for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The loser will be a wild card team in the 2026 NFL Playoffs. The game is scheduled for Saturday evening.

Game result: The Seahawks pulled away in the third quarter to beat the Panthers 27-10 in Week 17. The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West if the 49ers lose or tie against the Bears on Sunday Night Football and the Rams lose or tie against the Falcons on Monday Night Football. Seattle could also clinch the No. 1 seed, but would need a Rams loss or tie and a 49ers tie. If the 49ers lose to the Bears, Chicago would remain in contention for the No. 1 seed.

The Panthers managed to retain their one-game lead on the Buccaneers in spite of the loss. The Bucs lost on the road to the Dolphins. That means the Week 18 matchup between the Panthers and Bucs in Tampa will be for the AFC South title and the division’s lone playoff berth.

One of the biggest game on the docket in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season?

Sunday’s meeting between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

Both teams can wrap up their respective division titles with a win, while the Seahawks have a very narrow path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC this weekend.

Here are the implications for both teams in this game.

Seattle Seahawks playoff picture

The Seahawks have already clinched a playoff spot, and currently sit atop both the NFC and the NFC West with a 12-3 record. Seattle can clinch both the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC this weekend.

Let’s start with the division. Again, Seattle leads the division with a 12-3 record. The San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams are tied with matching 11-4 records, but San Francisco’s better division record (the 49ers are 4-1 in NFC West games while the Rams are 3-2) has the 49ers in second, and the Rams in third.

The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West crown this weekend with a win over the Panthers, and then some help from their division rivals. A win over Carolina plus a 49ers loss or tie against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football, and a Rams loss or tie against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, clinches the division for Seattle.

Both the Rams and the 49ers are favored in those games, with Los Angeles expected to win by a touchdown or more.

The other way Seattle can clinch the division is with a tie against the Panthers, provided the 49ers and Rams both lose their games.

As for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Seahawks have an even narrower path to clinching that spot this weekend. They would need to beat the Panthers, see the Rams lose to the Falcons, and then the 49ers would need to tie the Bears on Sunday night.

Why would the 49ers need to tie the Seahawks to make this path possible?

Because San Francisco is playing Chicago this weekend, another team that can catch the 49ers for the No. 1 seed. If the 49ers lose to the Bears, it will open the door for Chicago to take the No. 1 seed. A tie, however, blocks both Chicago and San Francisco from catching Seattle.

Carolina Panthers playoff picture

On the other side of the field, the Panthers currently lead the NFC South with an 8-7 record, one game ahead of the 7-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While those two teams meet again in Week 18 (Carolina won the first meeting between the two teams), the Panthers can clinch the division this weekend.

First, Carolina would need to win their game against the Seahawks, then they would need the Buccaneers to lose or tie against the Miami Dolphins.

Or, if the Panthers tie against the Seahawks, they would need a Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins to clinch the division.

Otherwise, this division battle goes into Week 18, and might be the Sunday Night Football game to close out the regular season.

Given where these two teams are in the standings, there are no tiebreaker implications between them.

Here are the NFC standings ahead of Sunday’s games:

  1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) – x
  2. Chicago Bears (11-4) – x
  3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) – xy
  4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
  5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) – x
  6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) – x
  7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) – x
  8. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) – e
  9. Detroit Lions (8-8) – e
  10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) – e
  11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
  12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – e
  13. New Orleans Saints (5-10) – e
  14. Washington Commanders (4-12) – e
  15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12) – e
  16. New York Giants (2-13) – e

x – Team has clinched a playoff spot
y – Team has clinched their division title
e – Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

Here are the full NFC South standings:

  1. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
  3. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – e
  4. New Orleans Saints (5-10) – e

Here are the NFC West standings entering Week 17:

  1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) – x
  2. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) – x
  3. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) – x
  4. Arizona Cardinals (3-12) – e

As noted above, the 49ers currently hold a tiebreaker advantage over the Rams thanks to a better record in NFC West games. San Francisco is 4-1 in those games (with Seattle on their schedule in Week 18) while the Rams are 3-2, with the Cardinals left to play in Week 18. Those teams have split the season series.

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Deadspin | Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers keep Yankees off the board Apr 29, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven strong innings against one of his former teams and the Texas Rangers recorded a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi (3-4) turned in his second scoreless start this season and rebounded nicely after getting tagged for four homers during six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Athletics on Friday. Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015-2016, allowed four singles and New York was 0-for-9 against his splitter. The veteran right-hander tied a season-best with seven strikeouts, walked one and threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes. Josh Jung hit a two-run single in the fifth after the Rangers loaded the bases against New York’s Elmer Rodriguez (0-1). Sam Haggerty added an RBI single in the seventh after entering the game in the fifth for Brandon Nimmo, who exited with right hamstring tightness after getting hurt running between first and second. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in four-plus innings during his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked four before exiting after Jung’s single to left field. Rodriguez left the bases loaded in the second by retiring Nimmo but encountered trouble in the fifth. He hit Alejandro Osuna with a pitch, walked Ezequiel Duran and gave up a single to Nimmo that caromed off Ben Rice’s glove when the first baseman was playing in on the grass. New York’s Jasson Dominguez exited in the fourth with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by Eovaldi’s cutter. Rice had three hits for the Yankees, who went 7-2 on their nine-game road trip and lost for only the second time in their past 12 games. New York also was blanked for the second time this season. After Eovaldi exited, Jacob Latz pitched two scoreless innings for his third career save to complete the Rangers’ third shutout. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nathan #Eovaldi #Rangers #Yankees #boardApr 29, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven strong innings against one of his former teams and the Texas Rangers recorded a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi (3-4) turned in his second scoreless start this season and rebounded nicely after getting tagged for four homers during six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Athletics on Friday.

Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015-2016, allowed four singles and New York was 0-for-9 against his splitter. The veteran right-hander tied a season-best with seven strikeouts, walked one and threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes.

Josh Jung hit a two-run single in the fifth after the Rangers loaded the bases against New York’s Elmer Rodriguez (0-1). Sam Haggerty added an RBI single in the seventh after entering the game in the fifth for Brandon Nimmo, who exited with right hamstring tightness after getting hurt running between first and second.


Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in four-plus innings during his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked four before exiting after Jung’s single to left field.

Rodriguez left the bases loaded in the second by retiring Nimmo but encountered trouble in the fifth. He hit Alejandro Osuna with a pitch, walked Ezequiel Duran and gave up a single to Nimmo that caromed off Ben Rice’s glove when the first baseman was playing in on the grass.

New York’s Jasson Dominguez exited in the fourth with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by Eovaldi’s cutter.

Rice had three hits for the Yankees, who went 7-2 on their nine-game road trip and lost for only the second time in their past 12 games. New York also was blanked for the second time this season.

After Eovaldi exited, Jacob Latz pitched two scoreless innings for his third career save to complete the Rangers’ third shutout.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nathan #Eovaldi #Rangers #Yankees #board">Deadspin | Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers keep Yankees off the board Apr 29, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven strong innings against one of his former teams and the Texas Rangers recorded a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi (3-4) turned in his second scoreless start this season and rebounded nicely after getting tagged for four homers during six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Athletics on Friday. Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015-2016, allowed four singles and New York was 0-for-9 against his splitter. The veteran right-hander tied a season-best with seven strikeouts, walked one and threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes. Josh Jung hit a two-run single in the fifth after the Rangers loaded the bases against New York’s Elmer Rodriguez (0-1). Sam Haggerty added an RBI single in the seventh after entering the game in the fifth for Brandon Nimmo, who exited with right hamstring tightness after getting hurt running between first and second. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in four-plus innings during his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked four before exiting after Jung’s single to left field. Rodriguez left the bases loaded in the second by retiring Nimmo but encountered trouble in the fifth. He hit Alejandro Osuna with a pitch, walked Ezequiel Duran and gave up a single to Nimmo that caromed off Ben Rice’s glove when the first baseman was playing in on the grass. New York’s Jasson Dominguez exited in the fourth with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by Eovaldi’s cutter. Rice had three hits for the Yankees, who went 7-2 on their nine-game road trip and lost for only the second time in their past 12 games. New York also was blanked for the second time this season. After Eovaldi exited, Jacob Latz pitched two scoreless innings for his third career save to complete the Rangers’ third shutout. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nathan #Eovaldi #Rangers #Yankees #board

Deadspin | Sixers out to ‘do whatever it takes’ in Game 6 vs. Celtics Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston. Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence. “Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month. Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon. “I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4. “It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.” Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench. “He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series. Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter. “First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.” Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range. On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort. “Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #CelticsApr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics.

The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston.

Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence.

“Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month.

Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon.

“I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse.

Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4.

“It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.”


Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

“He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series.

Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter.

“First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.”

Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range.

On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort.

“Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #Celtics">Deadspin | Sixers out to ‘do whatever it takes’ in Game 6 vs. Celtics Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston. Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence. “Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month. Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon. “I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4. “It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.” Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench. “He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series. Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter. “First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.” Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range. On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort. “Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #Celtics

Deadspin | Stars in search of calm facing Game 6 elimination vs. Wild Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul. Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5. “You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure. “… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.” Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division. “We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.” Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6. The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games. “I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.” Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime. Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves. Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time. “We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.” Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot. Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #WildApr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul.

Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5.

“You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure.

“… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.”

Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division.

“We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.”

Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6.


The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games.

“I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.”

Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime.

Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.

Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time.

“We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.”

Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.

Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #Wild">Deadspin | Stars in search of calm facing Game 6 elimination vs. Wild Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul. Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5. “You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure. “… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.” Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division. “We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.” Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6. The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games. “I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.” Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime. Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves. Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time. “We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.” Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot. Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #Wild

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