MN Wild: Running out of Time for Season Comeback

MN Wild: Running out of Time for Season Comeback

MN Wild: Running out of Time for Season Comeback. With only 15 games left and the Wild and Avs tied with 72 points with a game in hand the Wild need to pick up as many wins as possible. In fact they can only lose four games if they hope to earn a 90 point season.

Although you only need 87 points to make the playoffs 90 points would be a good cushion and hopefully they would be on a hot streak going into the playoffs. Earning the 2nd WC spot puts them against either the Hawks, Stars or Blues in the first round.

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The Wild cannot lose the easy games such as their Thursday (3/10) home game against the Oilers and their game in Montreal (3/12) against the Habs. The end of their season is a much more difficult with two games against the Hawks, Kings and Avs. Those are the games where the remaining 4 loses for a 90 point season would be reasonable and quite honestly expected.

Personally, I’d love to see a Stars/Wild match up. That would be new and exciting and new. The newer divisional rivalry between the two teams could make for an awesome series. Not to mention I’m sick of drawing the Hawks and getting smoked. Even if it is in some ways inevitable.

In order to be successful into the playoffs and beyond the Wild need to figure out their PK now. Although a tiny sample space, the PK against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night was better and could be a solution to their PK woes. The PK overall needs to be more aggressive on the puck carrier specifically and cause mistakes and turn overs. The PK needs to be able to clear the puck the first chance they get every time, clear bodies in front of Dubs and Kuemps.

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The PP needs to be strong as well. There is no excuse for not generating quality scoring chances or getting the puck in the net with a man advantage. The Wild need to get pucks on net with players in front screening and there for rebounds. “Garbage” goals can be game changers just as much as highlight reel goals.