The Minnesota Wild cut two points off of their magic number Monday night when they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 1-0 in a defensive battle, in Winnipeg. The Wild’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now one.
Ilya Bryzgalov was outstanding in net, as he finished with 24 saves and his second consecutive shutout.
#mnwild win 1-0…Magic number 1. Bryzgalov 2nd straight shutout with 24 saves. 142:15 shutout streak for Bryz
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 8, 2014
Bryzgalov is 6-0-3 in 10 games with #mnwild with a 1.67 GAA, .929 SV% and 3 shutouts.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 8, 2014
Charlie Coyle scored the Wild’s only goal. Coyle’s goal came early in the second period when he beat Winnipeg goalie, Michael Hutchinson on a wrist shot. Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu both assisted, for Koivu it was his 40th assist of the season.
Both teams had multiple chances on the power play, but neither was able to do anything about it. Both the Wild and Jets were 0 of 3 on the power play.
The win closed the Wild’s road schedule at 17-17-7 (7-3-2) since the Olympic break, according to the Star Tribune.
While the Wild haven’t locked up a playoff spot yet, a collapse at this point would seem highly unlikely.
The Star Tribune reports the Wild would have to go 0-3 and the Coyotes would have to go 4-0, without a shootout win, and then make up a goal differential of plus-2 for Minnesota, compared to minus-12 for Phoenix.
Have to credit Chuck Fletcher for making move to add a veteran goalie and taking chance that Bryz could produce if needed down the stretch.
— Chip Scoggins (@chipscoggins) April 8, 2014
