Wild set for last week of regular season
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The Wild have four regular season game left before the playoffs start. They sit at 33-14-5 in the standings, with their playoff seeding to be determined. In other words, these four games have meaning.
Wild head coach Dean Evason won’t be surprised if the playoffs start soon after the regular season is over, as in Saturday, May 15 or Sunday, May 16.
"I won’t be surprised if we’re starting the playoffs two days after the regular season ends and if that happens we’ll be ready," said Evason Friday morning.
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Certainly, the player who’s created the biggest buzz this season is rookie Kirill Kaprizov. Currently, Kaprizov has 26 goals and 21 assists in 52 games. But it’s his toughness that his teammates have noticed lately.
Wild coach Dean Evason talks to the media prior to their game Friday night vs. the Ducks.[Zoom Wild]
"As the season goes along, the games will get harder and harder. When you have one of the best players on the team, in Kirill, people are going to keep an eye on him more. He’s playing well and he’s very strong physically and mentally," said Wild defenseman Ian Cole.
If the Wild want to take the next step and advance deeper into the playoffs, goaltenders Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen will have to maintain the standard they’ve set so far this season.
"Cam has been great. We have a ton of faith in him. We feel if we put him in good situations, and we feel we can help each other a lot," Cole added.
The Minnesota Wild have two games at home against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and Saturday, and finish up on the road against the St. Louis Blues next Wednesday and Thursday.