The next four games could decide the Minnesota Wild's fate

Under different circumstances, the Minnesota Wild would simply be gearing up for its upcoming stadium series matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that has booted them from the playoffs three seasons in a row.

But this Minnesota team has a lot on its plate and is playing more than just the day-to-day tilt leading up to a potential redemption game against a division rival. The Wild is playing to get out of the downward spiral its headed in at this point in the season. And following the firing of coach Mike Yeo, the future of this Wild team holds a few question marks.

In a tough Central Division, at a point in the season when a couple bad games can tear up the standings, the Wild has gone 1-7-2 in its last 10 games, dropping a disappointing eight straight. Minnesota sits at second to last in the Central with 56 points and is five points back of the Nashville Predators for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Can Minnesota overcome the recent struggle and climb into playoff contention? Its next stretch of games could be a solid indicator of that.

ESPN's "Morning 3-on-3" discussed the current state of the Wild and the rough stretch that led to Yeo's departure. Joe McDonald pointed out that perhaps after a franchise record-tying eighth consecutive loss, the coaching change is what the team needed:

"Based on the team's talented roster, I actually picked the Wild in our preseason poll to win the Central. Despite an eight-game skid, Minnesota is only five points out of the playoff structure. Yeo's message obviously fell on deaf ears and the organization needed to make a change."

In the same ESPN discussion, Scott Burnside also suggested that a coaching change was needed because the players weren't responding to Yeo's approach. He also questions, however, if they will rise to the occasion under interim coach John Torchetti:

(Yeo) scratched veterans Thomas Vanek and Jason Zucker, defending his decision not to scratch veterans until that point by saying he believed his players could turn it around. They didn't, and John Torchetti will now serve as interim coach... 

Vanek responded to the benching with points in three straight games, but who else besides the perpetually underachieving Vanek needs to step up for the Wild to stay in the hunt? Do you think they even have a shot at getting into the postseason at this stage?

The team itself apparently thinks so. In a recent interview with NHL.com, center Charlie Coyle answered that very question:

"As of now, we're going through a little bit of a tough time, but it happens, everyone goes through it," Coyle said. "We've gone through it the last couple of years and we usually dig ourselves out and go into the playoffs on a high note. The ups and downs are usual but it's time to figure out what's going to get us going here and get back on the winning end of things."

Minnesota kicks off a three-game road trip against the druthers of the Pacific Division, visiting Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton before facing Chicago in the outdoor game. This four-game stretch could say a lot about the Wild and its 2015-16 campaign.