SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- On Feb. 18, the Minnesota Wild were at the top of the Western Conference and challenging the Washington Capitals for the best record in the NHL.
Minnesota's 84 points at the time sat one behind the total of East-leading Washington. The two teams appeared to be the class of their respective conferences.
As the clubs meet Tuesday in Minnesota, the Capitals have proven themselves over the course of the season and look ready to earn the President's Trophy as the NHL's best regular-season team. The Wild are trying to find some semblance of the squad that cruised through December and January.