Recent content from Sarah McLellan
Who goes, who stays? A player-by-player look at the Wild roster
It's more than just salary cap issues that will shape the Wild for next season. There are roster spots and roles that need to be hammered out based on merit.
Evason stands by decision to start Fleury in bulk of playoff games
Stanley Cup-winning experience gave Marc-Andre Fleury the edge over Cam Talbot, Wild coach Dean Evason said, but the team was happy with the play of both.
'We'll deal with it,' Wild GM Guerin says of painful salary cap squeeze
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury could stay, but 30-goal scorer Kevin Fiala might be out of team's price range.
Fiala knows he could be gone from Wild despite best season of career
The Wild could be forced to trade Kevin Fiala after he became a 30-goal scorer for the first time. Several factors are part of the unusual situation.
Wild's goaltending situation is a major question after playoff defeat
Cam Talbot is under contract for another year; Marc-Andre Fleury is a free agent after starting five of six postseason games. The Wild's goaltender situation is no longer as clear as before.
Wild has big roster decisions to make while confronting financial issues
After loading up at the trade deadline and then fizzling out in the first round of the playoffs against St. Louis, the Wild is now forced to confront the reality of its new budget. Why is the money so tight?
Wild's season of promise scotched with quick playoff exit
The Blues turned out to be a bad matchup for the Wild, and a late goalie change provided no magic tonic.
Blues deliver final blow to season, knock Wild from playoffs in 5-1 thrashing
The Blues have pestered the Wild for months — spoiling the Winter Classic at Target Field, interrupting the team's franchise-record pace and now ending Minnesota's season.
Talbot brings 'team-first mentality' into Wild net for Game 6
Idle since April 28, Cam Talbot saw his first action after Marc-Andre Fleury started the series' first five games.
Cam Talbot starts for Wild in net for tonight's Game 6
Talbot was the first goalie off the ice during the Wild's pregame skate, suggesting he'll make his first start of the best-of-seven series. He last played two weeks ago against Calgary.
Wild confronts reality of must-win Game 6. Evason: 'It's desperation.'
The Wild will need to pull off the gutsiest rally of the season at St. Louis, since a crunch-time U-turn is necessary to avoid being ousted from the playoffs tonight.
'If we had 20 of him ...' Kaprizov's performance was showstopping
The second-year Wild winger scored twice Tuesday and has nine goals in 12 playoff games, a pace unseen in team history.
Wild falls apart late, 2-1 lead becomes 5-2 loss to Blues in Game 5
The Wild is one loss from being out of the playoffs despite a historic performance by Kirill Kaprizov, which ended up being overshadowed by Vladimir Tarasenko's third-period hat trick.
Wild treads fine line between physical play and penalties vs. Blues
When Wild players have jostled with the Blues after the whistle, penalties — and St. Louis goals — have been the result. But coach Dean Evason and the players also realize they have to keep being physical to create scoring chances.
Despite Sunday's loss, Wild not looking at changes for Game 5
There were signs at practice that coach Dean Evason will not make changes for tonight's game at the X, which will move the winner within one game of winning the playoff series.
Wild needs more from Fiala's line to successfully battle Blues
Kevin Fiala's line, which includes Matt Boldy and Frederick Gaudreau, has scored just one goal heading into tonight's Game 5 of the playoffs. 'We'll have a chat with them,' coach Dean Evason said.
Wild hopes to take advantage of home ice in Game 5
Both teams have won on the road as the Western Conference playoff series is tied at two.
Wild fails to cash in on opportunities, falls 5-2 to Blues in Game 4
Two goals in a 54-second span in the second period gave St. Louis a cushion that the Wild couldn't wipe out, and the series returns to Tuesday's Game 5 at Xcel Energy Center tie 2-2.
Wild fails to generate another multigoal comeback
For the fourth time in as many games in this series, the team that scored first went on to win.
Wild looks to fill 'tip jar' of pucks all the way to the Stanley Cup
Inspired by a road trip to Nashville last month, the team is dropping a puck into a bucket for every playoff win, and the goal is to get to 16.
Wild's 'GREEF' line is checking and scoring vs. Blues
Jordan Greenway, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno are facing St. Louis' top line, and contributing on offense, too, with four goals in three games.
Both teams staying with goaltenders in Wild-Blues series
Marc-Andre Fleury and Ville Husso continue to hold things down as series switches to St. Louis.
Wild takes control of series with Game 3 blowout win over Blues
From the start - 39 seconds in, to be exact - the Wild was on its game and cruised to a 5-1 win to go up 2-1 in the series.
After Game 2 success, Wild not making lineup changes tonight
The Wild has lost seven in a row at Enterprise Center — where Games 3 and 4 will be played tonight and Sunday — getting outscored 35-15 in those games.
Kaprizov changed little, but outcome was much better in Game 2
The Wild was held scoreless by the Blues in Game 1, but standout winger Kirill Kaprizov helped change that with a hat trick in a 6-2 victory that evened the first-round, best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Eriksson Ek's value always appreciated by his Wild teammates
Joel Eriksson Ek is a physical presence, a clutch scorer and one of the NHL's top defensive forwards. His play sparked the Wild's resurgence in Game 2 against the Blues on Wednesday to even the series at 1-1.
Kaprizov's hat trick conquers the Blues for a night in Wild's Game 2 win
Kirill Kaprizov had three goals, Joel Eriksson Ek added two and Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 32 saves as the Wild tied the series at one game apiece.
Wild adds experience for Game 2 as Goligoski joins the lineup
Defenseman Alex Goligoski sat out Game 1, but slid in Wednesday when Dmitry Kulikov was scratched.
Fleury stays in goal in Game 2; Goligoski replaces Kulikov on defense
This will be Alex Goligoski's first playoff game with the Wild, but he has 43 games of Stanley Cup experience and was with the Penguins when they won it in 2009.
Spurgeon fined $5,000, says he's 'not very happy with myself' about penalty
The illegal hit to an opponent's ankles was unusual for Jared Spurgeon, who was runner-up last season for the NHL's Lady Byng Trophy that recognizes sportsmanship.
Wild must solve power play riddle, penalty kill issues to battle Blues
The inconsistency from the Wild's special teams is not new, but the consequence for the team hit hard in its Game 1 loss to St. Louis. Will things change tonight?
Blues continue dominating Wild, grab home-ice advantage with Game 1 shutout
Whether it's been an afternoon matinee in St. Louis or the middle of winter at Target Field or Monday's 4-0 win at the X, St. Louis has continued stumping the Wild this season.
A spectator last season, Boldy now a key figure in Wild lineup
Rookie Matt Boldy had a strong second half after recovering from an fractured ankle suffered in preseason.
'Confident' Wild renewing rivalry with Blues in Game 1 tonight
Marc-Andre Fleury was the first Wild goalie off the ice at the morning skate, which usually indicates who the starter is going to be.
Meet goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who plays better 'when I'm having fun'
In addition to a future Hall of Famer, the Wild also acquired a practical jokester nicknamed "Flower" who talks to the goal post and wears flashy gear when they traded for Fluery in March.
Wild's injured Foligno vows to play: 'It'd feel wrong sitting out'
A knee-on-knee hit in the season's final regular-season game seemed likely to sideline winger Marcus Foligno.
Wild's Fiala playing his best hockey but thinks he has 'much, much more to go'
Kevin Fiala posted career highs in goals (33), assists (52) and points (85) during the regular season.
Kaprizov and Zuccarello have creative connection for Wild
Next up for the Wild's dynamic duo of Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello is to translate their talent to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Wild beats Colorado for home ice, loses Foligno to injury on illegal hit
Marcus Foligno was kneed by Kurtis MacDermid, who received a game misconduct, in the first period. Foligno's status for the playoffs, which begin Monday, is uncertain.
As Wild sets records, Guerin points to different kind of milestones
General Manager Bill Guerin said there are higher expectations as the team enters the playoffs and a first-round matchup against St. Louis that could be one of the NHL's best.
Kaprizov scores winner in OT as Wild's special teams shine vs. Calgary
Playing a playoff-caliber opponent, the Wild took a step closer to home-ice advantage as Kirill Kaprizov scored 44 seconds into overtime to secure a 3-2 win.
Wild-Colorado game preview: Fleury to start regular-season finale
The Wild is 1-1-1 vs. the Avalanche this season, winning the last meeting 3-2 in overtime on March 27.
Thursday's Wild-Calgary game recap
Kirill Karpizov notched his 106th point of the season, scoring the game-winner in overtime.
Earlier shellacking by Flames prompted Wild roster enhancements
Being outscored 12-4 by Calgary in consecutive games in February and March was General Manager Bill Guerin's motivation to bring in players to supplement the team's depth, toughness and goaltending.
Talbot back in net for Wild in second-to-last game of season
Cam Talbot will be back in net for the Wild, his first start since last Thursday, and none of the team's injured players will return against Calgary.
Wild's long points streaks end with loss to lowly Coyotes
Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Arizona, which scored four goas in the third period, was the Wild's first in regulation since April 5 and only the second in 22 games.
GREEF line — Greenway, Eriksson Ek and Foligno — back together again
They had not played together since April 12 because of injuries and illness. Without his normal linemates, Eriksson Ek had two goals and an assist in each of his past two games.
Fleury starts again for Wild; Foligno, Greenway return vs. Coyotes
The Wild kicks off the final week of the regular season against the Coyotes at Xcel Energy Center, and Marc-Andre Fleury will once again be in net.
Wild gameday: Coyotes first of three home games to finish regular season
The Wild is trying to get the second seed and home ice for its playoff series against the Blues.
Wild's Fiala is NHL's second star for the second consecutive week
Four goals and seven assists in four Wild victories have fueled the winger's hot streak.
Spurgeon's perseverance earns him Masterton Award nomination
The Wild team captain, who ranks among the team's best-ever, has been a standout through adversity during his NHL career.
Kulikov beats the OT buzzer, scoring to spark Wild over Predators 5-4
Dmitry Kulikov found the net with 1.3 seconds remaining, and Joel Eriksson Ek's assist on the goal was his third point of the game.
Slow start didn't stop Kaprizov, Fiala from building momentum
Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala are first and second in team scoring and have set franchise records before the end of the regular season.
Wild's Fiala setting records, broadening his game in a career year
Wild left wing Kevin Fiala is leading the NHL in goals, assists and points since April 8, when his current streak began.
Wild vs. Nashville preview: Final away game of regular season
The Wild visits Bridgestone Arena on Sunday night.
Talbot reflects on the journey after picking up 200th NHL win
The Wild goaltender hit the milestone in his second consecutive start against Vancouver on Thursday.
One for the record book: Wild's victory over Seattle brings new milestones
Kevin Fiala's five assists set a new Wild franchise record on a night Kirill Kaprizov continued his eye-popping second NHL season in a 6-3 win over the Kraken.
Another big night for Fiala as Wild locks in playoff series vs. St. Louis
The 6-3 win over Vancouver — sparked by a Wild rally in the third period — made certain a Wild vs. Blues first-round series. But home-ice advantage is still up for grabs.
Boldy keeps making plays as a rookie forward for Wild
He scored in overtime in his first game with the Wild, had a hat trick in another and scored between his legs in a win over Montreal on Tuesday.
Thursday's Wild-Vancouver game recap
Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello both had a goal and two assists for the Wild.
Wild faces surging Kraken at Xcel Energy Center
Seattle has won a season-high three games in a row, with help from rookie Matty Beniers, who has a point in each of his first four games.
Wild goalie rotation ends with Talbot getting second straight start tonight
For the first time since Marc-Andre Fleury debuted last month, the Wild will start the same goalie for a second consecutive game
Wild finishing season with five of six at home, starting with Vancouver
The Wild returns home where it is 10-0-1 in its past 11 games at the X. The Canucks are still outside the Western Conference playoff picture, but making a late-season push.
Fiala, Boldy score memorable goals in red-hot Talbot's 2-0 shutout
Kevin Fiala became the Wild's third 30-goal scorer of the season, and Matt Boldy made a highlight-reel play to score. Cam Talbot made 26 saves at Montreal to go 11-0-3 through his past 14 starts.
Iowa's top goal scorer makes NHL debut for Wild
Mitch Chaffee was signed out of UMass in 2020. He scored 22 goals in 45 games for Iowa.
Wild safely in playoffs, but plenty at stake as season winds down
A battle with St. Louis for home ice is front and center as the team faces Montreal on Tuesday night.
Wild gameday: Mitchell Chaffee called up, could make NHL debut
The Wild has a game in Montreal and will be without Marcus Foligno, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Fiala's huge game clinches playoff spot for Wild in OT win over San Jose
Kevin Fiala scored the goal that sent the game into overtime and took the shot that was deflected into the net by Jared Spurgeon — Fiala's third assist of the game — for the 5-4 victory.
