The Wild’s Remaining Schedule and What You Need to Know

The Wild’s most recent victory in Calgary was maybe the biggest of the season. They’re still in a tough spot, but Zach Parise knows just how big this one was against the team who holds the spot they want to be in.

“We’ve got a long ways to go, but five (points behind) looks a lot better than nine had we lost that game,” he said.

With thirty-four games remaining, points in almost every one are a must. The Wild currently sit 12th of 14 in the Western Conference, with five points and four teams standing between them and the second wildcard spot.

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However, there is a bright side. Of the remaining games, twelve are against teams ahead of the Wild in the wildcard chase. These teams are the Canucks, Avalanche, Jets, Flames, Stars and Kings. The Wild have more than one game remaining against all of these teams except the Kings, with whom they play one more time.

Those twelve games are essential to any possibility of a playoff birth. Even wins in overtime won’t be enough, because they can’t let these six teams gain points. The Wild will need to win at least eight of these games in regulation.

Eleven of the remaining games are against the Eastern Conference, including six against current non-playoff teams. The Wild will take wins of any kind in these games. Giving points to teams in the East doesn’t matter to Minnesota.

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Nine of the remaining games are against teams well ahead of the Wild in the Western Conference standings, such as Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis.

That leaves us with the final two, which are against the Oilers, the only team the Wild will play the rest of the way with a worse record in the West. Have to win both of these games.

According to my calculations, the number of points required to earn the second wildcard spot in the West is going to be around 92. The Wild sit at 50 with 34 games to play. That means they will need to earn around 42 points in the final stretch. This would require of a record of something like 18-10-6 at this point. It will be a tough task, but winning huge games against the right teams would make it much easier.

The Wild take the ice next in one of those twelve crucial games. The puck drops in Vancouver at 3 pm on Sunday.

Next: You Wanted It, You Got It: Wild Land Outdoor Game

Jan 29, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) celebrate a win with teammates against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Minnesota Wild won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports