Let’s Go! Minnesota Wild Carry Heavy but Realistic Playoff Expectations

2. Marc-André Fleury/Cam Talbot

The Wild made the biggest trade deadline move in franchise history this year in acquiring goaltender Marc-André Fleury from the Chicago Blackhawks. The move signaled a need to strengthen the goaltending and officially go all in on a Cup run. Since joining the Wild, both Marc-André Fleury and Cam Talbot have been sensational.

Fleury has gone 5-1-0, with a 2.36 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage since joining the team. His acquisition has given this team some much needed playoff swagger. Nobody has shown that more than his teammate, Talbot.

Going into the trade deadline, Talbot looked like a shell of the All-Star goalie that dominated many games, and who had been consistently solid this season. Both he and Kaapo Kahkonen struggled heavily and Guerin made the move to go and get Fleury.

After Flower joined the team Talbot has gone 5-0-2, with 1 shutout, a 1.97 goals-against average, and a .936 save percentage.

The team has shored up the goaltending issues that has plagued the team. Playoffs are all about toughness and goaltending. As mentioned in previous articles, there is not a team in Stanley Cup history that has won a Cup without a No. 1 center and elite goaltending. The Wild will need these two to be elite if they hope to host a Stanley Cup parade.