Recent content from Sarah McLellan
Wild look to start back-to-back with win at Anaheim
Sarah McLellan's take: The Wild have a chance to answer St. Louis and Vegas after both gained ground in the Western Conference playoff race over the past two days.
After Wild use Marc-Andre Fleury exclusively, Filip Gustavsson will get another chance
With back-to-back games on the West Coast, Filip Gustavsson will play against either the Kings or the Ducks.
Blown chances against rivals keep Wild on shaky playoff ground
A shootout loss to the Blues over the weekend is part of a pattern: Win against the NHL's bottom-feeders without having similar success against better teams.
Wild fall in shootout, squander chance to improve playoff hopes
Instead of climbing to within two points of a playoff spot and building a buffer between them and their closest competition, the Wild now have only a one-point lead over the Blues.
A reason for hope: Khusnutdinov joins Wild lineup in dominant victory
The Wild need every point they can get in the playoff race, and their Russian prospect's debut against Anaheim offered plenty of hope.
Wild at Blues preview: Central showdown pivotal for both team's playoff hunt
After losing to St. Louis earlier this month, the Wild get a chance at a do-over to keep pace in the wild-card chase.
Wild, Kaprizov stay on a roll with 2-0 shutout over Ducks
Marc-Andre Fleury turned in a 16-save shutout as the Wild won for the third game in a row and are 5-0-1 in the last six.
Marat Khusnutdinov will make his Wild debut tonight
The Wild are still chasing Vegas for a wild-card berth, and Anaheim presents an opportunity to make up more ground.
Fleury's surge gives Wild hope as season winds down
The veteran goalie is on a hot streak as his team keeps playoff hopes alive. And he's ready for a heavier workload, if that's what the Wild want.
Kaprizov scores twice as Wild skate past Coyotes 4-1
The Wild improved to 4-0-1 over their past five games and took a third consecutive victory vs. Arizona to boost their chances at a playoff spot.
Marcus Johansson returns as Wild urgently chasing points
The Arizona is reeling entering Tuesday's game at Xcel Energy Center, but they have been surprisingly pesky against the Wild.
Khusnutdinov eager to hop into lineup, learn ways of the Wild
A standout in the Russia's KHL, Marat Khusnutdinov arrived in Minnesota over the weekend as the team tries to salvage a playoff berth.
Wild take huge risk, earn needed reward in OT win over Nashville
Key players involved didn't know an NHL rule that would have had big consequences in the standings if things had backfired when coach John Hynes pulled the goalie with the score tied in overtime.
After trade deadline, Wild reflect on up-and-down season
With three players now on different teams, players and executives examine how Wild got here.
Wild vs. Predators preview: Central rivals set for final clash
Sarah McLellan's breakdown: Nashville is on an 11-game point streak, the third-longest in franchise history.
Wild catch a break late, but lose in overtime to Avalanche
Valeri Nichushkin broke a 1-1 tie on a 4-on-3 power play midway through overtime after an unsuccessful penalty shot by Mats Zuccarello late in the third but successful challenge by the Wild to overturn an Avalanche goal.
Wild use trade deadline to build for future
In shipping away Pat Maroon and Connor Dewar, the Wild made future-focused decisions indicative of the present: They are chasing a playoff spot they may never catch.
Undeterred by 7-second blip, 'Flower kept us in it' for two key points
After allowing the fastest two goals in franchise history, Zach Bogosian and Joel Eriksson Ek scored to ignite a Wild rally before Brock Faber and Connor Dewar applied the finishing touches.
Wild at Avalanche preview: Colorado will be a handful, with trade deadline playing in background
The Wild will have a tough task against an Avalanche team - and captain - that are dominant on home ice.
Wild make first move ahead of trade deadline, deal Duhaime to Avs
Brandon Duhaime, who spent his entire career in Minnesota, was set for free agency at the end of this season.
Wild at Coyotes preview: Rest should help Wild start banking points again
The Wild face Arizona, with Kirill Kaprizov a goal shy of his third consecutive 30-goal season.
Five questions loom as the Wild approach the NHL's trade deadline
The team doesn't have to go on a fire sale, but there are questions. Such as, what about Marc-Andre Fleury? Who else could be gone?
Wild re-sign defenseman Bogosian with two-year deal
Tough and steady, veteran Zach Bogosian has become important on the Wild blue line.
Wild's playoff hopes take big hit. They'll need wins, help to recover
Welcome to the Western Conference wild-card race where climbing is like crawling and a slip is practically a spiral.
Kaprizov hat trick sends Wild to 4-3 victory over Sharks
Despite dressing 11 forwards, Kaprizov's hat trick helped stop a three-game losing streak and bank some valuable points.
Playoff hopes take another hit as Wild lose in St. Louis
The 3-1 loss spoiled the return of Mason Shaw, who'd been sidelined for 11 months, and again kept the Wild from moving up in the battle for a Wild Card spot.
Wild vs. Sharks preview: Must-win against a bottom-dweller
Sharks defenseman Calen Addison will play his old team for the first time this season on Sunday.
Wild at Blues preview: Wild-card chances hinge on divisional clash
The Wild need to get past Central rival St. Louis and show a fight they didn't have in their thrashing in Nashville.
Kaprizov knows new teammate from Russia has big adjustment ahead
During Kirill Kaprizov's rookie season, he wasn't just adapting to a busier schedule after six years in Russia's top pro league. He has a lot to share with new teammate Marat Khusnutdinov.
Wild set dubious team record in 6-1 thrashing by Nashville
The Wild dropped eight points from a playoff spot in the thorough beating. Afterward, coach John Hynes said his team 'got what they deserved.'
Wild at Predators preview: Four-point swing at stake
Nashville has a significant buffer in pursuit of a wild-card berth and has won its past six.
Wild sign speedy Russian playmaker from 2020 draft
Marat Khusnutdinov can help the team now, said Wild boss Bill Guerin, but when he can get here is uncertain.
Lucky goal off Noesen's visor seals Carolina comeback over Wild
Ryan Hartman set up two goals, but the Hurricanes' Stefan Noesen scored the tiebreaker with 9 minutes, 58 seconds remaining when a Jack Drury shot hit Noesen's face before sailing into the Wild net.
Loyal Fleury wants to remain with Wild: 'This is our team, my team.'
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury relishes the challenge of striving with a hot Wild team in the mix for a playoff berth.
Wild vs. Hurricanes preview: Like it was last month, opportunistic style will be key vs. Carolina
The Wild need to take care of business ahead of two key showdowns on the road later this week.
Hot Wild winger Kaprizov picks up NHL honor as its No. 1 star
Kirill Kaprizov has 12 points in the Wild's past four games, earning him First Star of the Week honors.
Kaprizov-Zuccarello connection is surging, and the Wild along with it
Despite not playing on the same line, the pair still click on the power play and deliver momentum-shifting goals.
Wild put on another scoring display in victory over Kraken
Kirill Kaprizov scored twice, Mats Zuccarello factored in four goals and Matt Boldy capitalized for the third time in two games.
Boldy scores twice, Wild pick up big victory in Edmonton
The Wild are only two points shy of the last wild card seed in the Western Conference while moving back in front of the Kraken and Flames.
Wild vs. Kraken game preview: Broadcast info, injury report and stats
The Wild will visit a rested and playoff-contending Seattle team a night after playing against the Oilers in Edmonton.
Wild at Oilers preview: Minnesota might be Edmonton's bogey team
The Wild have done well on the road this season, not to mention winning 17 of their last 22 games in Edmonton.
Despite letdown loss in Winnipeg, Wild play up the positive
Losing to the Jets kept the Wild from moving into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But the team took away positives they hope to build on as that chase continues.
Wild run out of offense, cooled by Jets in 6-3 loss
One day after a massive rally to beat Vancouver 10-7, the Wild's offense bogged down in a game that featured more of the tension that has marked their rivalry with Winnipeg this season.
History in the blink of an eye: Wild erupt for 10 goals, rally past Canucks
Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek had hat tricks and the Wild scored seven goals in the third period to grab a remarkable win.
Wild, Jets bring a contentious history into Tuesday's game
Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov was injured Dec. 30 at Winnipeg, and Jets winger Cole Perfetti was high-sticked by center Ryan Hartman in the rematch the next day.
Wild's Western gantlet starts vs. league-leading Canucks
Vancouver's loss to Winnipeg on Saturday night was only their second regulation loss in their past 18 games.
Wild cough up late equalizer in 3-2 overtime loss to Sabres
After Dylan Cozens buried the tying goal with 37 seconds left, Henri Jokiharju scored just 1:29 into overtime to cap off the comeback.
Wild vs. Sabres preview: Wild riding four-game win streak
Jordan Greenway and the Sabres are hoping to steal a win at Xcel Energy Center.
Wild's new top line shows a new look — and is a success so far
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Wild have put their top three scorers on the same line. The trio is a big reason the team extended its winning streak to four games in Arizona.
After fourth knee surgery, Wild's Shaw back in NHL
The 25-year-old forward was signed to a two-way contract on Thursday.
Wild win coach's challenge, earn payback in victory over Coyotes
The Wild kept their lead on a goalie interference call and then dented the Arizona Coyotes' playoff chances and boosted their own with a fourth straight win, 3-1, on Wednesday night.
Wild look to keep momentum going vs. Coyotes after beating reigning champs
Sarah McLellan's breakdown: The last time the teams met, Arizona won in convincing fashion, so it's not a team to be overlooked.
Wild use stellar special teams for tense 5-3 win over Golden Knights
The Wild grabbed a crucial win over the defending Stanley Cup champions as Filip Gustavsson notched 27 saves and Matt Boldy tallied three points.
Wild travel to reigning Stanley Cup champs
The Wild will need to be at their best to get a result in Vegas, where the current champs are still contenders.
Determination to honor Fleury showcased the drive Wild need
After celebrating Fleury as the second-winningest goalie in NHL history, the Wild did him proud with last-ditch blocks against Pittsburgh.
Fleury returns, Wild continue strong play after break with 3-2 victory over Penguins
On a night he was honored for career milestones, Marc-Andre Fleury returned to the starting spot after a long layoff and turned in a brilliant 34-save performance.
Wild to pay tribute to Fleury before game against Penguins
Sarah McLellan's breakdown: The Wild will honor goalie Marc-Andre Fleury before the game, and he will get the start against a team for which he won three Stanley Cups.
Wild get tense, necessary win over Blackhawks as playoff chase resumes
Marcus Foligno's third-period goal helped the Wild defeat the last-place Blackhawks in their return from the All-Star break. It was the kind of win they had to have, but not a recipe for success.
Wild's Maroon undergoes back surgery, out 4-6 weeks
Veteran forward Pat Maroon was injured Jan. 27 against Anaheim after less than five minutes on the ice.
Wild seek fresh start in first game after All-Star break
The Wild face the Blackhawks in the first game following the All-Star break for two teams on the outside of the playoff picture.
Wild looking to reboot after All-Star break and make a push to postseason
With a tweaked roster, players are looking forward to a fresh start beginning with Wednesday's game against the struggling Blackhawks.
Brock Faber: From young Wild fan to young Wild star
After making his name in Maple Grove, captaining the Gophers and leading the Wild in time on ice as a rookie, Faber has a long track record of making dreams come true.
Sheer determination brought Kaprizov to another All-Star honor
Last season ended badly and the start of this season was a struggle. But Kirill Kaprizov's recent performance has been in line with expectation for a top NHL star.
Wild know they botched big chance with most recent losses
Heading into the All-Star break, the Wild had a chance to firmly re-establish themselves in the wild-card race. Now that path looks a lot harder.
Wild surrender another late lead in loss to Ducks
Minnesota limped into its 10-day break, losing a second game in a row after holding a third-period lead.
Wild vs. Ducks preview: Final game before All-Star break
The Ducks are third-last in the Western Conference and sit 13 points behind the Wild.
Loss to Predators was another kick to Wild's playoff hopes
A win could have put the Wild within two points of Nashville. Instead, they fell six behind in the chase for a wild-card spot.
Playoff hopes take a hit in Wild's 'tough to process' loss
Among other shortcomings, the 3-2 loss to Nashville was the first time the Wild had lost in regulation when leading after two periods.
Wild trade for veteran defenseman and former Hobey Baker winner
Will Butcher, a 29-year-old defenseman, was acquired from Pittsburgh in a minor-league trade.
Spurgeon facing two separate surgeries that will end his season
After trying to play through hip and back issues, Wild captain Jared Spurgeon concluded there was only one solution to his injuries.
Wild-Nashville preview: Key game in the playoff chase
The Wild are coming off three straight wins and sit four points behind the Predators. A win against their Central Division rivals could relaunch their chances of a wild-card spot.
Wild's Faber has emerged as surprise candidate for NHL's top rookie award
The ex-Gophers standout is part of the Wild's top defensive pairing, runs the power play and has benefited from an injury to the rookie who was expected to win the Calder Trophy.
Eriksson Ek tallies 20th goal this season as Wild fend off Capitals 5-3
Brock Faber had a record-breaking night, Marcus Johansson scored twice and Filip Gustavsson stopped 30 shots in the Wild's third straight victory.
Wild look to keep momentum in first of three home games
Sarah McLellan's forecast: If Kirill Kaprizov and the Wild stay hot in the first period Tuesday night, another W could follow.
Kaprizov's big weekend leads to NHL's top star of the week honor
Scoring five goals, including a hat trick, launched Kirill Kaprizov to the award for the second time this season and moved him up the Wild's career leaderboard in several areas.