The Wild's last week of dress rehearsals before the playoffs are drawing mixed reviews.
Wild's shot at Central title disappears in 3-1 loss to Jets
Winnipeg locked up the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, while the Wild lost their fourth game in their past six to finish third in the Central Division.
April 13, 2023 at 3:57AM
After a late rally made up for a disastrous display in Chicago the night before, the Wild were better on Tuesday with more of their regulars in the lineup but lost to squash their chances at winning the Central Division.
Winnipeg locked up the last playoff spot in the Western Conference by holding off the Wild 3-1 in front of 19,199 at Xcel Energy Center, the fourth game the Wild have dropped in their past six.
They will finish third in the division and begin the playoffs on the road, either against Dallas or Colorado. Since clinching, the Wild are a ho-hum 2-2.
"Starts are very important in the playoffs," Ryan Reaves said. "Momentum is a real thing in the playoffs. I think we gotta make sure that we understand that."
A pair of first-period goals by the Jets, off just four shots, and 33 saves by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck booked Winnipeg's ticket to the postseason and sealed its first win of the season in four matchups with the Wild.
The Jets tacked on a third goal, a one-timer from Mason Appleton, with 5 minutes, 54 seconds left in a third period that unraveled in the final minute.
Marcus Johansson was cross-checked into the boards by Winnipeg's Neal Pionk, which resulted in a five-minute major. A scuffle erupted on the ensuing power play for the Wild and after both sides were separated and play resumed, Reaves fought Adam Lowry.
"We've got a guy that might be out," coach Dean Evason said. "He gets a cheap five-minute major at the end of a hockey game. It's stupid. It makes no sense. It's frustrating."
Evason said he hadn't heard how Johansson is doing. "Hopefully it's not serious," Evason said.
The Wild's Sam Steel left in the second period because he was sick.
The chaotic ending came after Winnipeg was businesslike early, capitalizing on its first shot when a shot blocked by the Wild's Jake Middleton popped right to Lowry for the put-back 3:53 into the first period.
Three shots later, the Jets widened their lead on another fortuitous bounce.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (17 saves) stopped Nate Schmidt's shot, but the rebound caromed right to Mark Scheifele, all alone at the back post for the deposit at 13:10.
But like they did on Monday when they overcame an abysmal second period vs. the Blackhawks to win 4-2, the Wild reset in the third period.
After Kirill Kaprizov had three close calls on the power play, including a shot through the crease that banked off the post, the Wild finally solved Hellebuyck when a Matt Boldy shot knocked Hellebuyck's stick out of his grasp and Kaprizov pounced on the rebound at 1:59.
Overall, the Wild went 1-for-5 on the power play, Winnipeg 0-for-3.
Kaprizov's goal was his team-leading 40th of the season and first in the two games he's played since returning from a lower-body injury that sidelined him for 13 games. Kaprizov, linemate Mats Zuccarello, captain Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba rested on Monday, but all were in action in the team's last home game of the regular season.
Kaprizov is the first player in franchise history with multiple 40-goal campaigns; he had 47 a season ago, a team record.
"Getting that goal probably gives him a good feel," Evason said. "It's going to take some time to get obviously in game shape."
Despite a clear momentum boost after Kaprizov scored, the Wild remained behind Winnipeg the rest of the way, with the tension escalating late.
"At the end, it's tough to play," Fleury said. "You don't want to see guys get hurt."
Not only did this result officially eliminate Nashville from contention, but it also secured home-ice advantage for Dallas in the first round. An overtime loss by Colorado later in the evening also guaranteed the defending Stanley Cup champions of hosting Game 1, solidifying third place for the Wild.
Regardless of who they face, the Wild have one final tuneup on Thursday at Nashville.
"Coming out from the very first drop of the puck," Reaves said, "is the most important thing we can do right now."
The Wild have been the surprise of the league as their high-scoring winger makes a shambles of team scoring records.
