Dan Wallace: Wild Are For Real

Very entertaining game but the better team won and the playoffs will have a similar outcome so as much as the Wild are my favorite team my playoff expectations for Minnesota are realistic. Frankly because of all the asterisks surrounding this season I'm ready for the offseason to see how Guerin might Improve the team for next year. The expansion draft will be Interesting as well.

I agree with ya Shady. I am not expecting the Wild to go far in the playoffs, but I am hoping for at least very tight, competitive games. Playoffs should be fun! I'm also extremely curious on what BG is going to be doing over the summer, especially for the Seattle draft. I'm still in the boat that Guerin is expecting/hoping that Seattle takes Dumba.

Also, there is still hope out there (though shrinking quickly) for the Wild to actually win the division still, or at least move into the 2nd seed. Just have to hope over the next 4 days, the Blues are the best team in the NHL, then slack off for their final 2 games. And that the Kings want to be major spoilers. Would be a big surprise if all this happened. And it should be said that the Wild will have to win out the season.

I forgot to add, since I haven't in a while. Kaprizov is a monster! His first goal last night, tapped in from mid-air was cool to see. But it's the 2nd goal that I am flabberghasted over. Even in slow motion, that shot is so fast it's hard to see it. Just incredible...and he should only get better.

I loved KKs physical play last night and his ability to stand up for himself.

Nah. They just ok.

IMO, the Wild have proven to be every bit as good as Vegas if not slightly better... They may not have some of the high profile names on the roster, but i think they've more than proven they can not only keep up with the GK, they can out play them most nights...

That being said, the only thing the VGK have going for them over the Wild is the experience of a couple deep runs into the post season. Their overall head to head record against the Wild is proof enough to me that they are not the superior team we are constantly led to believe.


Colorado IMO is still the only team that i truly believe the Wild cannot beat in a 7 game series. Avs have the experience and far more skill and speed than Minnesota.

I don't "expect" the Wild to make a deep run mostly based on their lack of post season experience and the fact that they are just not quite polished enough to beat the higher caliber teams in a 7 game series... But at the same time, it wouldn't surprise me to see this squad open some eyes come playoff time... Like i said, not expecting it, but not denying the possibilities either...

I like the Wild. They can play with the big boys most night, but I don't like their odds if they draw Colorado again. I don't think thats a good team for them matchup-wise.

It is worth noting that if the Wild do draw the Avs - those series have always favored the lower seed. Not to say the Avs don't have a good squad this year, but they had that in 03 and 14 as well.

I like how the wild have played most of the season(as we have played a few games against them I've gotten to see first hand)I think the biggest key for the success has been the job competition from the start that has pushed alot of the youth to work hard for their ice and vets to step up.the d is always been tough and Talbot has always been a better goalie when hes been pushed to keep a starting job.i think the team effort rivals anyone in the division.gl in the playoffs