GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Wild still has three games to play after wrapping up its two-game road trip Sunday, but its matchup against the Coyotes at Gila River Arena could easily decide its fate.
With 81 points, the Wild is one shy of Arizona and four behind Colorado for the second wild card berth in the Western Conference.
"We're at that point," center Eric Staal said. "Obviously, [Friday] felt that way as well. We needed to make sure we got the win. We know that Sunday's going to have that same feel. I'm sure both teams will be really competitive. Hopefully play with the same tenacity throughout our lineup [like Friday] and obviously just come away with the points. That's all you can do."
Sunday's game against the Coyotes matters because of what the Wild did Friday, edging the Golden Knights 3-2 in Vegas. Staal had one of two power play goals, and goalie Devan Dubnyk was strong – making 35 saves.
Overall, it was an effort by the entire group that matched the urgency of the team's situation.
"We gotta go in there, and we have to play even better than we did [Friday] and come out stronger and that 'W,'" winger Jason Zucker said.
While the Wild welcomed center Joel Eriksson Ek back to the lineup in Vegas, winger Zach Parise missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury. The team didn't practice Saturday and didn't hold a morning skate Sunday, with puck drop in the afternoon, so it's unclear if Parise will be ready to return against the Coyotes.
Projected lineup:
