Wild Coach John Hynes Gets Creative to Secure Playoff Spot
The Minnesota Wild have been making some bold moves in their quest for a playoff spot, and it seems to be paying off. Coach John Hynes has been willing to take risks, from gutsy goalie pulls to wholesale line changes, and the team is reaping the rewards.
In their recent game against the Anaheim Ducks, Hynes made some key adjustments before the second period that sparked a 4-0 victory. However, he may have to make another adjustment soon depending on the severity of Jonas Brodin’s injury. Brodin hobbled off the ice in the third period after a check by Alex Killorn, and Hynes is hopeful that it’s nothing too serious.
With their win over the Ducks, the Wild have now moved ahead of the St. Louis Blues in the playoff chase and are within three points of the Vegas Golden Knights for the second wild-card spot. Their recent success can be attributed in part to the strong performance of Filip Gustavsson, who delivered a shutout with 27 saves in the game against Anaheim.
One standout player for the Wild has been Kirill Kaprizov, who scored a power-play goal in the second period. Since returning from injury on January 13th, Kaprizov has scored an NHL-most 23 goals and has accumulated 19 power-play points in that stretch. Additionally, Marat Khusnutdinov picked up his first career NHL point on Jon Merrill’s second-period goal, showcasing the team’s depth and young talent.
One of the key factors in the Wild’s victory over the Ducks was their line changes in the second period. Hynes mixed up his lines, putting Mats Zuccarello and Kaprizov together with Marco Rossi, and moving Marcus Foligno up with Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy. These changes paid off, with Hartman scoring on the first shift of the second period and Merrill capitalizing on a solid screen by Khusnutdinov.
Gustavsson’s performance in net was crucial to the Wild’s success. Coming off a long layoff, he showed consistency and battled through screens to make key saves. Hynes praised Gustavsson’s competitiveness in the blue paint and his ability to fight through traffic. The goaltender’s strong performance helped secure the shutout victory for the team.
Unfortunately, the Wild may be facing a setback with Brodin’s injury. The defenseman is known for his shutdown abilities, and losing him would be a blow to the team. Brodin hobbled off the ice in obvious pain after an awkward hit by Killorn against the boards. There is currently no update on his condition.
Despite the potential setback, the Wild have been able to rely on their young talent. Khusnutdinov, a Russian rookie, has stood out with his strength in the faceoff circle. In Tuesday’s game, he won an offensive zone draw and set a timely screen on Merrill’s goal, earning his first NHL point. Khusnutdinov’s performance has impressed his teammates, who quickly retrieved the milestone puck for him.
In recognition of their strong performances, three stars were awarded for the game. Gustavsson received first star honors for his shutout, Kaprizov was named second star for his contributions on the power play, and Hartman earned third star for his goal and assist.
The Minnesota Wild’s recent success can be attributed to the bold moves made by Coach John Hynes. From creative line changes to strong goaltending performances, the team is doing everything they can to secure a playoff spot. With their young talent stepping up and making an impact, the Wild are poised to make a strong push in the final stretch of the season.