Wild Heating Up at Right Time to Ease Playoff Concerns

Minnesota Wild string together key wins over Eastern Conference contenders to solidify playoff positioning

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:07am

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The Minnesota Wild have bounced back from a recent slump, picking up important wins over the Red Wings and Senators to ease concerns about their ability to compete with top teams in the playoffs. With a favorable remaining schedule, the Wild are now in position to secure home-ice advantage in the opening round.

Why it matters

The Wild's recent struggles had raised doubts about their Stanley Cup aspirations, but this latest surge has restored confidence that the team can make a deep playoff run. Securing home-ice could provide a significant advantage against tougher opponents in the postseason.

The details

After a 5-2 win over the Canucks, the Wild followed it up with back-to-back victories against the Red Wings and Senators, two Eastern Conference teams fighting for playoff positioning. These wins demonstrated the Wild's ability to elevate their game against quality opponents, even with their playoff spot already secured.

  • The Wild have won 5 of their last 7 games.
  • Minnesota has 5 games remaining in the regular season.
  • The Wild's next game is against the Kraken on April 8.

The players

Minnesota Wild

A professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Colorado Avalanche

A professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, and a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.

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What’s next

The Wild have an opportunity to further solidify their playoff positioning with games against the Kraken, Predators, Blues, and Ducks in their remaining regular-season schedule. A strong finish could help them secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Minnesota Wild's recent resurgence has eased concerns about their ability to compete with the top teams in the Western Conference. With a favorable schedule ahead and home-ice advantage within reach, the Wild are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run and potentially challenge for the Stanley Cup.