Zucker Emerging As Wild Inch Closer To Playoff Spot
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- There are several reasons the Minnesota Wild has won four straight games after the NHL All-Star break. One is the play of Jason Zucker.
He's here because he's proved he can make adjustments to his game, and that could keep him in the league for a long time. Right now, it looks easy for Zucker, but this journey to the NHL has required some trips to Des Moines, Iowa, to the minor leagues to find out and to prove.
"As much as anything else it's just appreciating what you have. It's working for it, and he's done that. He's paid his dues," Wild coach Mike Yeo said.
The new and improved version is one who understands the game, the effort and the grind. It's a transformation you either make, or you don't make it.
"It's nice. It's definitely nice to make sure you have played and get into that bit of a comfort zone where you know what you're supposed to do every night and the way you're supposed to play every night," Zucker said.
That understanding has created respect, from opponents and from teammates.
"Well his speed is always so dangerous but I think what stands out to me is how hard he works for loose pucks," Zach Parise said.
It is that time of year, though, where individual goals get put on hold because most players realize their careers are defined by the postseason. The biggest question for the Minnesota Wild is: Can they be a part of this year's postseason?
Another part of maturing in this league: The only thing that matters is that the regular season is not the end of the season.
"I'm not too worried about my own personal achievements in any way. I'm worried about getting into a playoff spot with the rest of the guys here and I can speak for them I'm sure. They're feeling the same way," Zucker said. "It's all about the playoffs right now."
The Wild currently has 54 points on the season, which is good for 10th out of 14 teams in the Western Conference. They're currently five points out of the eighth spot with their next three games at home as well as five of their next six.
