
Jon Merrill (upper body) has missed the past nine. Question Mark: The Wild's corps of defensemen has sustained a number of injuries, including Matt Dumba, who has missed 19 games, including the past six because of an upper-body injury. All but Zuccarello have set NHL career highs. Aside from Kaprizov's 43 goals, Ryan Hartman has scored 31, Fiala has 29, Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Foligno each has scored 22, and Joel Eriksson Ek has 21. It's the first time the Wild have had six players score at least 20 goals in a season. Louis Blues won 6-4, but the atmosphere in below-zero temperatures was a shining moment for the State of Hockey fanbase. 1, but it also served as the host of the marquee regular-season NHL event at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Memorable Moment: Minnesota not only made its Winter Classic debut Jan. Boldy has exceeded expectations despite an early season injury and has shown a high hockey IQ that will be valued by Minnesota for years to come. 12 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, he has scored 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 40 games after finding immediate chemistry with linemate Kevin Fiala. 6 against the Boston Bruins, and the 21-year-old forward has not looked back. Unsung Hero: Matt Boldy scored a goal in his NHL debut, Jan. His 31 even-strength goals are tied for fourth in the NHL, and his 68 even-strength points are tied for fifth. He's also done most of his damage at even strength. He's built on that this season, shattering Wild scoring records. Last season he set Minnesota rookie records for goals (27), assists (24) and points (51) and won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. Most Valuable Player: Kaprizov, in his second NHL season, has continued to drive the Wild's offense. Here's a look at the Wild's path to a playoff berth:

The Wild also added goaltending depth by trading for Marc-Andre Fleury from the Chicago Blackhawks to create a tandem with Cam Talbot. General manager Bill Guerin made a number of moves prior to the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline to add size to the lineup, acquiring defenseman Jacob Middleton (6-foot-3, 219 pounds) from the San Jose Sharks, and forwards Tyson Jost (5-11, 187) from the Colorado Avalanche and Nicolas Deslauriers (6-1, 220) from the Anaheim Ducks. Minnesota is fifth in the NHL at 3.68 goals per game. The Wild offense goes deeper than just Kaprizov, with six players scoring at least 20 goals. Kaprizov's 93 points are the most in a season for a Minnesota player, passing Gaborik's 83 points in 2007-08. He scored his 43rd goal Saturday, passing Marian Gaborik (2007-08) and Eric Staal (2017-18) for the most in a season by a Wild player. Kirill Kaprizov has led the Wild with a record-setting season. Last season, they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in seven games in the Stanley Cup First Round.
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However, they last won a playoff series in 2015.

It's the third straight season the Wild have reached the postseason, and the ninth time in 10 seasons.
