The NHL playoffs are unpredictable. But if there’s one thing we know, it’s that the Minnesota Wild has a distinct advantage on home ice.
With a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, the Wild continued to stay in the hunt for home ice in the first round of the playoffs. That would be a good thing for Minnesota, who owns a 26-7-2 record at home including an 8-0-1 record in their past nine home games.
That dominance was on display Tuesday night as Minnesota got on the board first with a goal from Frederick Gaudreau. Going into the second period with a 1-0 lead, the Wild put their foot on the gas in the second period with two goals from Kevin Fiala.
FIALA SHOOTS AND YADDA YADDA YADDA WE'RE UP 2-0. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/trIitE2neg
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 13, 2022
With his 25th and 26th goal of the year, Fiala gave Minnesota a 3-0 lead. The Wild poured it on later in the second when Ryan Hartman scored his 28th goal of the year while falling away from the net.
HARTZY WITH THE FADE AWAY JUMPER. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/JZw0HBU31l
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 13, 2022
Hartman scored again in the third period before Leon Draisitl put the Oilers on the board with a power play goal. But that was the only blemish for Cam Talbot, who finished the night with (STAT) to preserve the victory.
With the win, the Wild tied the St. Louis Blues for second place in the Central Division with 96 points. While the Blues have won six straight games, the Wild have two games in hand and a critical matchup in St. Louis on Saturday afternoon.
But before they can focus on that, they’ll hit the road to face the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
