Minnesota Wild Claw Back from Early-Season Slump, Aim for Playoff Spot

In the past few weeks, the Minnesota Wild have managed to claw their way back from an early-season slump, putting themselves back in the playoff picture in the crowded Western Conference wild-card race. After a players-only meeting led by captain Jared Spurgeon, the team has seen a significant improvement in its defensive play and goaltending, allowing just 1.80 goals per game in their last five contests.

However, the Wild's struggles in overtime have continued to haunt them, as they have lost four games this season after blowing leads, including a recent 2-1 defeat to the San Jose Sharks. Rookie defenseman Zeev Buium has shown promise, earning more trust from the coaching staff, but the team still needs more clutch scoring from star forward Kirill Kaprizov to consistently win close games.

Despite their recent turnaround, the Wild still face an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot, as they sit in a crowded wild-card pack. Their ability to maintain their improved defensive play and find more offensive production will be crucial in the coming weeks, as they take on tough opponents like the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights.