Wild Clinch Playoffs With Win Over Ducks – Wilderness Walk

Vegas will finish with 108-110 points. They have played at a 108 point pace in the 76 games with Jack Eichel on the ice.

In 41 games Kaprizov played with the Wild, including the 3 while he was attempting to play through an injury prior to surgery, the team accumulated points at a 106 point pace.

In 46 games Eriksson Ek played with the Wild, the team accumulated points at a 112 point pace.

This series could be a lot more evenly matched than people might think based upon the standings or recent struggles by the Wild in games facing non-playoff competition. When the Wild were last as healthy as they are currently(with only Troy Grosenick on the injured list), they were among the top 5 teams in the standings.

Vegas will be favored, but the Wild could surprise them by stealing a few low scoring games. Gus finished with a .914 sv% and 2.56 goals against average. Adin Hill is at .906 sv% and 2.47 goals against.

Vegas will likely get more shots on goal–they are 5th in shots per game while the Wild are at 23rd(the difference was less substantial early in the year when the Wild were healthy). The Wild defense will have to make sure they don’t allow too many high danger shots. Having all the regular defensemen back should help the Wild do that, but Gus will need to be at the top of his game.