The Wild is surging in the second half of the season, strengthening a once-tenuous hold on reaching the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. The Timberwolves have been on a consistent trajectory all season to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04.
Mid-April could be busy home stretch
February 15, 2018 at 1:57AM
It could bring a convergence of schedules that would turn the Twin Cities in mid-April into an exciting, chaotic playoff mess.
The NHL playoffs start April 11. The NBA playoffs start April 14.
If both teams make the playoffs, with the Wild as a bottom four seed and the Wolves as a top four seed, there almost certainly will be one of the following scenarios:
Four nights of home playoff games between the two teams in a five-date span, alternating dates, between April 14 and April 18.
Or: Two dates where both teams have home playoff games, which looks like it would be April 15 and April 17 based on how each league postseason schedule breaks.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.
about the writer
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand take a look back at the weekend in sports and a look ahead to Monday’s huge playoff game between the Vikings and Rams. The NFL playoffs so far have been a dud, with either lopsided results, mediocre action or both. The Vikings know going into Monday that they would face the Eagles if they advance to the next round.
