Coming into this season, the Wild seemed at a crossroads. Although the team was fresh off its fourth straight playoff appearance, the team had done little to improve its roster and there were signs of regression. Thus, although a playoff berth may have been the expectation for this team, no one expected this team to be among the very best in the NHL at the halfway point of the season.
However, that is exactly where the Wild find themselves. Battling for first place in the Western Conference and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Should the team keep it up, it will provide a much needed boost for a team that plays its best hockey at the Xcel Energy Center.