A year ago, the Wild had one day between their opening-round playoff series and the start of the next round. They used it to fly from Denver to Chicago and, somehow, get prepared for a second-round date with the Blackhawks.
Thanks to their Sunday win that clinched their opening-round, 4-2 series victory over St. Louis, the Wild now have four full off days to prep for a third straight postseason meeting with Chicago.
They took Monday off, held an optional practice Tuesday, and are scheduled for full practices Wednesday and Thursday before flying to the Windy City for Friday's Game 1.