Minnesota Wild: Showdown With Blackhawks is Brewing

The Minnesota Wild are within one point of the Chicago Blackhawks for the lead of the Central Division.  Looking at both team’s schedules over the next week to two weeks an interesting match-up could be brewing for when they meet for their first regular season tilt on 15 January.

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The Minnesota Wild saw their franchise record winning streak stopped at 12 games on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the State of Hockey seemed disappointed and relived all in the same breath.  The disappointment being over the loss and end of what was the most exciting time in Wild hockey in quite some time, and the relief coming from the idea that the pressure was off the team and they could go back to playing without thinking about keeping up a winning streak.

Still looking at the standings it’s obvious that the effects of the winning streak are not just the increased enthusiasm for the team and about winning consecutive games.  As of today the Wild are only one point behind the Chicago Blackhawks for the Central Division lead, with the Hawks failing to add to their lead yesterday in St. Louis at the Winter Classic.  The Wild also have played four games less than the Blackhawks giving them a big chance to make up even further ground.

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The prospects of the Wild to win the Division are growing by the day as they continue their relentless pursuit of Chicago.  The team is different this season with their eye on the Division crown at all times.  According in Michael Russo even in the depths of the winning streak, veteran forward Eric Staal was keeping the team focused on catching and passing Chicago.

Dec 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Wild center Eric Staal (12) skates with the puck in the overtime period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Wild center Eric Staal (12) skates with the puck in the overtime period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

“Winning the division is an important goal for us this year, and to have a guy like that continually saying it in the room during the streak and after wins and reiterating things we’re doing well is helping push us forward,” Devan Dubnyk said of Staal’s influence on the team.  It’s a goal oriented attitude that has fueled the team, and right now that goal is squarely set on gaining the lead for and ultimately winning the division crown.

Looking ahead to this week it could be a bit easier road for the Blackhawks to keep their lead.  Their schedule sees them play back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday at the United Center against Buffalo and Carolina.  Sure back-to-backs are not easy period, but the Hawks are at home and the playing the Sabres who are under .500 and the Hurricanes who are a -4 in goal differential.  So the likelihood of them pulling out two wins is still relatively high, and for sure you can almost count on them getting some points out of both games.

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The Wild on the other hand will have a hard end of the week.  Opening their week late on the road on Thursday on their West Coast swing against the Pacific Division leading Sharks will be a tough game.  Follow that up by back-to-back games against two current playoff teams the Kings and Ducks on Saturday and Sunday, you can see where the Wild might walk out of those three games with little to no points.

After that the Wild have two tough games against Montreal and Dallas before a direct showdown with the Blackhawks.  The Hawks only have one game against the Caps before that game.  So bottom line looking at it broadly, the game on the 15th in Chicago will be huge with the Wild looking to pass the Blackhawks or protect a slim lead.

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Anyway you slice it the head-to-head matchup on the 15th will be huge.  It also could be the precursor to what will be an important regular season series between the two division rivals.  With the Wild and Blackhawks only playing each other 4 times this season every time they play with close standings like this will be important.  Then again the Wild could tank and it wouldn’t matter, but it’s the Blackhawks and it always matters!