The All-Star break has hit and for the Wild it is exactly at the midpoint of the season. That is primarily due to all ofbthe postponed games. That of course means the second half of the season will be that much more difficult as we know the games become tighter as playoff races hear up and the condensed schedule where the Wild play every other day from here on out.
That said stocking the points bank through the first 41 games was mission critical and check that box as they banked 59 points, compiling a record of 28-10-3.
They have answered a lot of the critics with strong play from both goaltenders. Kirill Kaprizov has taken another huge leap to elite status as on of the league's best players. The GREEF line is arguably the finest shutdown line in the NHL.
If you want proof, loom no further than when that trio of Joel Eriksson Ek, Marcus Foligno, and Jordan Greenway are on the ice together they have not surrendered an even strength goal all season. That is remarkable considering they are going up against the opposition top line every single night.
The defense which had been anchored for so long by Ryan Suter along with the Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and Matt Dumba has transitioned to be a finer three pair unit. Gone are the days of Suter playing half the game, and along with that gone is a suspect third defense pair.
Yes the Wild had patched together their third pair over that last few seasons with guys like Nate Prosser, Greg Pateryn, Nick Seeler, Brad Hunt, Carson Soucy, Ian Cole. Each of those players stepped up when called upon and even gave hope, but in the end they could not be relied upon with confidence night in and night out.
Enter Jon Merrill, Dmitry Kulikov, and Jordie Benn through free agency and the Wild have upgraded an area that most in the past would say was a strength and foundation of the Wild. We know that only to be the case because of the top four who garnered the lions share of the ice time. That ultimately would take a toll on those four and their games, most notably Suter's would suffer the more minutes he played.
So no longer are the minutes so top heavy for the top four who now have Alex Goligoski taking Suter's place alongside of Jared Spurgeon. Goligoski has given the Wild a different look and he brings experience as well as Stanley Cup ring to the room.
The kids are contributing as Matt Boldy has stepped in and given the offense and in particular Kevin Fiala a much needed shot in the arm. Fiala had been getting his chances for most of the season, but had been snake bitten, until Boldy arrived.
Now Fiala has a team record 12 game point streak with 9 goals and 16 points over that stretch. Boldy has 10 points in his first 10 NHL games and has looked like a veteran rather than the 20 year old fresh faced rookie that he is.
Calen Addison has stepped into the lineup on defense and has been outstanding. Some might argue he should be in the lineup every night. Dakota Mermis has filled in admirable as well and the Wild depth is at an all time high.
So a lot to be encouraged about from the first half of the season for sure. Now comes the fun part of the NHL season and the Wild have played themselves into position to compete.