Embarrassing doesn’t begin to describe what happened to the Minnesota Wild Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild was destroyed by the Edmonton Oilers, 6-1 in the regular season finale at the X. Not exactly the way to send the fans home during Fan Appreciation Week.
The Wild would have clinched a playoff berth with a win, but now they’ll have to wait until the season finale Saturday in Colorado. The situation remains the same — if they win, they are in. They also clinch a spot in the playoffs if Columbus loses at home to Nashville.
Niklas Backstrom started the game in goal for the Wild, but he gave up three goals in the first-period and was pulled. He made just two saves on five shots.
Josh Harding replaced Backstrom. It was his first appearance in an NHL game since February 7. He was out because of medication complications for his multiple sclerosis.
Harding struggled, giving up three goals of his own — two by Oilers phenom Nail Yakupov.
The Wild actually dominated the pace of play, out-shooting Edmonton 28-14 through two periods, but they couldn’t get the puck past Nikolai Khabibulin, who finished with 39 saves.
Mikko Koivu scored for the Wild midway through the third period.
