The Minnesota Wild have secured third place in the Central Division, meaning they’ll open on the road in the playoffs against the Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche.
Entering play Friday – the final day of the regular season – Dallas (108 points) leads Colorado (107 points). Both Dallas and Colorado won their games Thursday night, so the Stars are done and the Avalanche can win the division with a win at Nashville Friday night.
If Colorado wins, they win the division and Minnesota faces Dallas in the playoffs.
If Colorado loses in regulation or overtime/shootout, Dallas wins the division thanks to more regulation wins this season, which is the first tiebreaker. That would put Minnesota against Colorado in the first round.
If the Wild face Dallas, Game 1 will be Monday. If they play Colorado, Game 1 will be Tuesday.
The Wild finished the regular season with 105 points after losing 4-3 in overtime to Nashville Thursday night.
