Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, there are still two playoff spots to be determined in the Western Conference. After the way the month of March went for the Minnesota Wild, few were expecting them to be in the situation in which they currently find themselves.
A playoff spot in no guarantee for the Wild. They currently sit in eighth in the West after reeling throughout the month of April. They picked up a crucial win earlier this week, but still need at least two more points to assure themselves of not being left out of the playoff party.
Luckily, the Wild are still in control of their own destiny. Minnesota has two games left in the regular season. The two teams that they’re battling with for a playoff spot, the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets, each only have one game left, which will take place on Saturday.
Winning just one of the two games would give the Wild a playoff spot. A win would give them 55 points on the season. The Blue Jackets can max out at 55 points. If the two tie, the Wild have the edge in regulation and overtime wins, which would give them that spot. If they’re able to win and the Wings get at least a point in their last game, the two would be tied and the Wild would still have the edge in ROW.
All Minnesota really needs in their last two is two points. Two points guarantees them a spot. At least three points would help them avoid living as the no. 8 seed and would set up a much more favorable matchup with the Anaheim Ducks. If the Wild can win their last two and the San Jose Sharks lose, whether they get a point or not, Minnesota can work their way all the way up to the six seed.
There is still a lot of movement that can take place in the Western Conference before the regular season comes to an end. But the Minnesota Wild don’t have to do much to at least assure themselves of a playoff spot. Two points and their in. They control it. They must take advantage of it on Friday and Saturday night.
