
Welcome to the Monday edition of The Cooler, where the seasons are undoubtedly changing Let's get to it:
*The Wild provided the latest microcosm of its season by getting blanked by Arizona in a must-win game Sunday. Minnesota's playoff odds are down below 1 percent now. It's pretty much over, except for the math.
Per Hockey Reference, the Wild has the third best percentage in the NHL of scoring chances for vs. scoring chances against. But the Wild is second-to-last in the NHL in shooting percentage, converting just 8.2 percent of shots on target into goals. That has led to the biggest negative gap — minus-42 — in the league between expected goal differential and actual goal differential.
*The Wild, by the way, is in danger now of finishing in last place in the seven-team Central Division. Minnesota is in sixth right now, just two points ahead of last-place Chicago. The Blackhawks have four games remaining, and the Wild has just three — and Chicago won the season series 3-1. The Wild hasn't finished in last place in its division since 2005-06, back in the old five-team Northwest Division.
*The Wolves have a chance of catching the Wild in the mythical championship I like to crown every year. The Wolves have 34 wins with six left to play, while the Wild has 36 with three to play.
I'd say both teams, despite missing the playoffs this season, could be championship contenders in 2019-20.
*I'd also say if you believe that last paragraph, you should check today's date. And be wary of any stories you see on social media today. Like this one, which was very well-played:
*I've been known to dabble in advanced numbers, but I won't attempt to look up just how rare the Twins' treatment of the catcher spot has been so far through three games.