The Minnesota Wild have battled their way back into the NHL playoff picture and they have a chance to solidify their foot hold in the Western Conference playoffs with a big five game home stand.
Minnesota entered Thursday night with 91 points – holding the top wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota trails Chicago by three points and leads Winnipeg by the same margin.
Since Jan. 15 (32 games), #mnwild has outscored teams 96-54 (NHL-leading +42 differential, 1.7 goals against). 93.4% PK (28 games since ASG)
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 26, 2015
There is really just one team on the outside with a shot to sneak into a playoff spot in the West, the Calgary Flames, who the Wild play on Friday night to open their five-game home stand.
While Minnesota’s position for the post season is pretty good, Wild coach Mike Yeo told reporters it’s also no time to slow down.
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According to the Pioneer Press, home is where the Wild have struggled recently though. While Minnesota has won 10 straight road games, they are 3-4 in their last seven home games – all four losses have been by one goal.
And with the Flames, Kings, Rangers Red Wings and Jets all coming to ‘The X’ on the home stand it will be important that the Wild don’t slip.
Yeo: "We've got a tough schedule…we've got to win some hockey games along the way and make sure our game is sharp." #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 26, 2015
But Yeo isn’t worried about the standings.
“I’m not looking at the team’s above us in the standings, I’m not looking at the teams below us, I’m looking at the team we are playing tomorrow night, and that has to be our focus,” said Yeo.
