During the past two seasons, the Minnesota Wild pointed to the progress they had made. In 2013, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Last year, they won a postseason series for the first time in 10 years.
In the end, though, both seasons were put to rest by the Chicago Blackhawks. To continue cataloging their progress, the Wild will have to beat them this season when the teams hook up for a third straight playoff series.
"That's the plan," Zach Parise said. "We've got really good players that are in their second and third year.