Numbers Game

95 Points To Make Playoffs

Wild Total: 75 Points

Games Remaining: 16

Wins Needed: 11

In the waning moments of this, the Wild's 10th anniversary in the NHL, the team finds itself having to play each remaining game like it's for the Cup - before ever getting into the the playoffs.  This is not unfamiliar territory for the team, in fact it seems to be their mode of operation.  The team's history and stats don't lie when it comes to seeing why they struggle to secure a playoff berth.  The Western Conference is tight and that's not just this year, it's every year.  Yet the Wild can't seem to figure this out, until it's way too late.  They're slow to pick up on the fact they've got to put in the effort night in and night out, for a FULL season, in order to clear the top 5 seeds in the Western Conference.  That's something the Wild just don't seem to be able to do, regardless of who the coach was, or is.  It has nothing to do with learning a particular style of hockey.  It has nothing to do with 'gelling' as a team.  It has to do with each and every player giving 100% of themselves, putting their very best effort out on the ice for every game.  It means coming to the arena ready to play your heart out, whether it's a road game or in front of the home crowd.  It means being able to say at the end of 99% of those 60 minute matches - we played the whole game and we played to win.

The Wild didn't play 60 minutes of hockey Sunday night.  The Wild didn't play good hockey Sunday night.  That pretty much sums it up.  Yes, the team rallied from a 2 - 0 Sabres lead to tie the game and send it into overtime.  Yes, one point is better than a total loss for the night's effort.  But there really wasn't an honest effort put forth by the Wild, was there?  It speaks volumes for where this team is at right now when a call-up player from Houston, Warren Peters, can put things into perspective so succinctly: "Moral victories, there's no room for those anymore, I don't think."


Nope, there's only room for 10 wins.

Russo tells it like it is regarding the Wild's standings and their lack of effort.