First round Wild-Dallas series could be a conference final

Yes, it's absurd for the NHL to pit the Wild against the Dallas Stars — by far the No. 2 and 3 teams in their conference — in a first-round playoff series.

Why it matters: After nine straight playoff series losses, the Wild deserve better odds at getting a huge monkey off their backs.

Reality check: Round Two is no longer this team's goal. Since trading for Quinn Hughes, the Wild have insisted their "Stanley Cup window is now" — and any path to the trophy probably goes through Dallas and/or Colorado.

• We're about to find out exactly how well this team measures up against the league's best.

The big picture: On paper, this series is a toss-up between two heavyweights.

• The Wild's star power — Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy — is matched by Dallas' Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen and the red-hot Jason Robertson.

The intrigue: Wild GM Bill Guerin left Robertson off the U.S. Olympic roster. He has a goal in four of his last five appearances against Minnesota.

Reasons for optimism: This is a much deeper Wild team than last year, and not only because of the Hughes deal.

• The addition of Vladimir Tarasenko's 23 goals to the third line makes the team overall much trickier to defend.

Reasons for anxiety: The Wild face a dilemma in goal. In the season's final games, rookie Jesper Wallstedt shined, and veteran Filip Gustavsson looked wobbly — but Wallstedt lacks playoff experience, or a start against Dallas this year.

• A mismanaged goalie rotation — and the mind games they can play with netminders — can sink a playoff series.

What we're watching: Whether Dallas' injured top center, Roope Hintz, is able to play.

What's next: Game 1 in Dallas starts at 4:30pm Saturday on ESPN or FanDuel Sports Network.

Bottom line: Strap in for what should be the NHL's most compelling first-round series this year.