Winners in the last four of five the Wild host the struggling Detroit Red Wings who have won just once in their last 10.

But...

Nothing is a given in the NHL and especially with the Wild. As we discussed earlier in the week the Wild are in a stretch where they can really make a significant move in the standings with the home games and some of the league's weaker teams on the schedule.

The issue is for the Wild to keep the foot on the gas and continue to get back to playing their game. It has been a long standing issue with the Wild to take a game or two off especially in the middle of the season.

The major difference this season vs. the past couple is their is no cushion and for them to make it to the playoffs it is going to be all hands on deck every night to the end.

Thursday's win over the Jets left us scratching our heads. After playing some of their best hockey over the first 40 minutes the Wild put it on autopilot in the third and if not for Devan Dubnyk we would be talking about a loss.

How is it even possible that in the final 20 minutes the Wild were not able to get a single shot on net. Now of course there was the Granlund breakaway in which he hit the pipe, but seriously that is alarming.

So Detroit is next but no team is a push over. The Wild have made some subpar goalies look like allstars this season.

Today's message has to be to take control early and keep playing Wild hockey. Smart clean crisp passes, puck support in all three zones and come out with a well played victory rolling all four lines.

It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!

Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17

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