Great news for late-night sleepers who missed the Minnesota Wild’s 2-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks: the Vegas Golden Knights stumbled against the Calgary Flames. This victory earned Minnesota two points, while Vegas left empty-handed, narrowing the gap to the second Wild Card spot to just four points. Furthermore, the Wild have an opportunity to surpass the Los Angeles Kings, who also stand at 77 points, just four points ahead of the Wild.
However, amid this glimmer of hope, Minnesota’s season remains fraught with challenges. Despite their recent strong performance, with a record of 12-4-2 since the All-Star Break, their playoff odds, according to Evolving-Hockey, stand at a modest 22.8%. Compounding the issue are the one and two-game advantages held by Vegas and LA respectively, amplifying the odds in favor of these Pacific Division teams. With only 15 games remaining, time is running out for the Wild to bridge the four-point gap.
Despite their recent surge, the Wild’s position remains precarious. Even with the most points of any team outside the playoff picture, their fate is largely out of their hands. The prospect of securing a top-five draft pick, once a source of intrigue, now feels remote due to recent changes in lottery rules. Consequently, Minnesota faces the prospect of finishing with the 16th-best draft lottery odds, a position that offers a slim chance of winning the lottery and a limited opportunity to move up in the draft order.
The potential outcomes paint a stark picture for the Wild. While a playoff berth would provide a brief respite and revenue boost, failure to qualify would likely result in a middling draft position. History shows that while the 16th overall pick can yield quality players, it also carries a significant risk of selecting players who fail to make a substantial impact in the NHL. Minnesota’s past experiences with such picks serve as a reminder of the uncertainties ahead.
Despite the lack of clear solutions, the disappointment lingers. Just weeks ago, Minnesota appeared poised to secure a more favorable draft position, offering the chance to acquire impactful players. Now, with key prospects likely out of reach, sadness permeates the outlook for the remaining 15 games of the season.
