Wild Host L.A. Kings Tuesday In Latest Playoff Push
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- It's the extension to the playoffs. The Minnesota Wild feels that vibe every day, battling Colorado for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Tuesday night, it's about the Los Angeles Kings and they will do it without one "one-time" key veteran.
They have found ways when they looked near destruction, and two straight shootout wins is a confidence boost.
"It was huge when you think about it, two shootout wins. We know in shootouts it can go either way so those were two huge points for us," Mikael Granlund said.
They will claim they don't pay too much attention to Colorado, that's common fodder in these situations.
"I mean you always know what's going on I think but you can't really get caught up in it if that's what it's going to do, if you're going to get caught up in that. We've got to focus on our A game and if we don't win, then it doesn't matter," Charlie Coyle said.
What this time of year is about is hockey, almost exclusively hockey. To be one dimensional in your approach is to simplify your life.
"You try to get as much time with your families in on your days off and try to relax on those days but when it's a practice day or a game day you're locked in and making sure you come to the rink ready to work and do your job and make sure that we're performing to the best our ability," Jason Zucker said.
The good news for the Wild: They have gone through most of the season healthy, so they should be built for the final run.
"You want to be as healthy as possible. That's going to help. I think it's about the preparation, prepare for each and every day and every game," Mikko Koivu said.
The one no-show Tuesday night will be Thomas Vanek. He will be a healthy scratch again, and he's trying to come to terms with what has become of his tenure with the Wild.
"I'm not going to lie, obviously I'm not happy about it but it is what it is. It's a team sport, guys are going to be in and out. I'll just work hard and wait for my chance to get back in," Vanek said.
