Wild 2016-17: What Could Go Wrong?

Alternate logo since 2003. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Minnesota Wild, coming out of the NHL's All Star break, has been playing better than anyone anticipated this season given their history.  They have 69 points, leading not only the Central Division but also the Western Conference.  There has not been a major slump nor a debilitating injury to a key player as of the end of January.

The reasons are these:  New coach Bruce Boudreau has so far been making the right moves on the ice, so he hasn't had a chance to wear out his welcome with players and fans just yet. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk is having a great year.  So are Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, free agent pickup Eric Staal and others.

Warning signs?  You mean besides the lack of a slump, or some player who's had an upper/lower body injury?  Boudreau coached the Central Division team in the NHL's All Star Three-On-Three tournament in Los Angeles, and lost the preliminary round to the host Pacific Division 10-3.  Dubnyk let in as many goals as the previous Central goalie before the mini-game mercifully ended.

With two months left to go in the season, the usual factors of keeping things together--staying healthy, avoiding a tailspin, and securing home-ice advantage in the playoffs--will come into play.

But with the Wild's success this season, hockey pundits like NBC's Pierre McGuire are projecting them as a Stanley Cup finalist.  That's kind of optimistic considering that the last time they made a serious run at the Cup was in 2003, losing in the Western Conference finals to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.  Since then, it's been mostly one series and out.

Regular season success doesn't always translate to a championship.  Just ask the Washington Capitals, who as it happens lead the league with 72 points.  They also had a great season a couple of years ago before bowing out in the early rounds of the playoffs.  That could also happen to the Wild because the conference they're in is so competitive.

We've also heard Super Bowl talk surrounding the Minnesota Vikings when they started this past season at 5-0, before injuries and dissension put them out of the playoffs.

So before the Minnesota Wild celebrate their Stanley Cup victory with a parade down the streets of St. Paul in mid-June, they have to get through the regular season first.  Minnesota sports fans have had plenty of experience with teams that don't finish what they've started.  Maybe this time things will be different?