Quinn Hughes Scores Twice in 5-2 Win to Advance Team in Playoffs

ST. PAUL, Minn. The victory gave the team its first playoff series win in 11 years. The team had not won a playoff series in 10 attempts since 2015, with the past eight losses occurring in the first round, including against Dallas in 2016 and 2023.

Hughes scored the opening goal in the first period. Wyatt Johnston tied the game in the second period with a power-play goal, converting a pass from Mikko Rantanen. Mavrik Bourque then gave Dallas a lead with 3:42 left in the second period after a bounce off the end boards. Vladimir Tarasenko responded 54 seconds later, scoring on a backhander for his 50th career postseason goal.

Hughes broke a tie midway through the third period with a shot from the left dot that deflected off Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin's skate and past goalie Jake Oettinger. Matt Boldy scored two empty-net goals, his fifth and sixth of the series. Jesper Wallstedt made 22 saves for the team.

The team outscored Dallas 17-5 at even strength in the series, including 12-4 at five-on-five. Dallas had 10 power-play goals in the postseason, while the team had three in the series.

The team will face Colorado, the Presidents Trophy winner, in the second round. Colorado has not played since completing a sweep over Los Angeles on Sunday. Hughes was acquired from Vancouver in December in a trade described in the source as the biggest in franchise history. All three goals in the game came at full strength.