With the NHL Trade Deadline a week and a half away, the Minnesota Wild have every reason to feel comfortable. After all, they’re sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference, one point behind the Washington Capitals in the President’s Trophy race.
With a +62 goal differential, this season doesn’t appear to be a fluke where they happen to win a ton of one-goal games. Their dominance in the standings suggests a top-tier team that’s rolling right now.
And indeed, things are going very smoothly, especially compared to last season. A year ago today, the Wild were trying to salvage a lost season, eventually limping into the last Wild Card spot in the West with 87 points.