2009 Minnesota Wild Season Update
Posted 3/1/2009
The Minnesota Wild are currently in third place in the Northwest Division and still looking to lock up one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.
The Wild are in the midst of a crazy race for the final few spots in the postseason, with countless teams still in the mix.
The upcoming schedule could really put a hurting on Minnesota, as they play the next five games on the road. It isn't an easy schedule either, and is highlighted by a trip to San Jose, the best team in the NHL.
Mikko Koivu leads the team with 55 points, including a club-high 39 assists. Owen Nolan leads the Wild with 17 goals.
The Wild aren't much of an offensive team, which really hurts when you play in the wild Western Conference.
Injuries have really hurt them offensively, as their leading goal scorer, Nolan, is out with a fractured toe. They are also missing Marian Gaborik, who had surgery on his hip.
However, they do know a thing or two about playing defense, especially when it comes to goaltending.
The Wild have two very good goalies in Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding. Backstrom is the starter and is 28-17 on the season, giving up just 2.20 goals per game and saving more than 92 percent of the shots he faces.
Harding hasn't been so bad himself, going just 2-7 but sporting a 2.14 goals against average and stopping more than 93 percent of the shots he has faced.
If the Wild can manage to reach the playoffs, having two goaltenders that play at such an elite level will be a huge advantage over other clubs.