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Wild vs. Sharks: Minnesota is in (the playoffs) with a win … or a point

By Tim Johnson |
Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno celebrates a third-period goal against St. Louis in an overtime loss on Saturday afternoon.(Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)
Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno celebrates a third-period goal against St. Louis in an overtime loss on Saturday afternoon.(Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)

29-34-11. 120. 5 p.m. . . Bally Sports North . Sunday, April 17. 46-21-7. 98

The Minnesota Wild have been a virtual lock for the NHL postseason for more than a minute but the team can make it official on Sunday afternoon.

The Wild, with a win over the San Jose Sharks at the Xcel Energy Center, can earn a spot into the playoff field for the second straight year and the 11th time in the franchise history.. Technically, the Wild can clinch as long as they don’t lose in regulation.

Minnesota can also jump over the St. Louis Blues for second place in the Central Division again. The Blues took that position on Saturday afternoon with a 6-5 victory in overtime after the Wild rallied from a 4-1 deficit after two periods.

“We don’t quit,” Wild forward Marcus Foligno said in a postgame media availability session. “We know that we’re a really good hockey team and we can keep up with those guys. Obviously it’s tough to give up an overtime goal but the third and the first (period) is our game and we just need to clean it up in the second..”

The loss snapped Minnesota’s three-game winning streak but the Wild are 14-3-3 over its past 19 games and have 99 points, which is the fourth most in the Western Conference behind Colorado (116), Calgary (101) and St. Louis (100).

The Wild are also 9-0-1 in the past 10 games at the Xcel Energy Center and 26-6-2 on home ice overall this season. Minnesota also set a franchise record with 141 goals at home so far this season, surpassing 2016-17’s mark of 137. Overall, Minnesota has scored  271 goals this season which snapped the mark of 263  that was also set during the ’16-17 season.

Minnesota has scored three-plus goals in 15 of its last 16 games, outscoring its opponents, 58-38, since March 16.

Minnesota split the two previous matchups with San Jose this year and 13-6-1 in the last 20 meetings against the Sharks at the Xcel Energy Center.

Upcoming Wild schedule

Tuesday, April 19: @Montreal, 6 p.m.  CST

Thursday, April 21: Vancouver, 7 p.m. CST

Friday, April 22: Seattle, 7 p.m. CST

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