How big was Minnesota's 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night? Leaving that game with no points sets the stage for what could be a backbreaking week as the Wild play just once over the next six days while the team they're chasing, the Vegas Golden Knights, takes the ice four times.
Vegas hosts Seattle Thursday night and then gets the Columbus Blue Jackets at home Saturday night. They go to St. Louis in a pivotal game Monday and then stay on the road against Nashville on Tuesday.
The Wild host St. Louis on Saturday and then don't play again until next Thursday (San Jose at home).
Entering play Thursday, Minnesota has 76 points with 12 games to go. They're chasing Vegas for the final wild card spot. The Golden Knights have 79 points with 14 games remaining. Saint Louis is right behind the Wild with 75 points and 13 games left.
The worst-case scenario over the next week would be Vegas winning all four games and the Wild losing to the Blues in regulation. In that scenario, the Wild would go to bed next Tuesday night 11 points behind Vegas.
The best-case scenario has the Wild beating the Blues on Saturday and Vegas losing all four of its games in regulation. In that scenario, the Wild would go to bed next Tuesday night just one point behind Vegas.
It's entirely possible that Vegas doesn't play well in the next week. The Golden Knights have gone 5-10-1 since Feb. 8 when they were 31-15-6.
All the Wild can do is hope. What happens in the next week is almost entirely out of their control.
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