NHL Power Rankings: Lightning strikes, Flames burn out

10. Minnesota Wild (-3)

The Minnesota Wild will once again be heading for the postseason. Will this year be any different from all the other years? Can the Wild put together a Stanley Cup run? No, not this year. The addition of Jordan Greenway from Boston University will be important and a boost to their lineup, but it will not be enough to beat some of the best teams in the Western Conference. Depending on how the season finishes the Wild will get a first-round matchup against Nashville or Winnipeg. There is not enough firepower to keep up with either team and their defense is not good enough to stop them.

The Minnesota Wild have occupied the No. 3 spot in the Central Division for a good portion of the season. They cannot afford to fall asleep at the wheel down the stretch, because the Colorado Avalanche are only four points back. The Wild lost their three of their last four games as they try to close out the regular season. They lost to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime then rallied to beat the Nashville Predators. That was followed by an overtime loss to the Boston Bruins and a shootout loss to the Nashville Predators. They start their final segment of the season with a tricky home and home series with the Dallas Stars. The Wild need to at least split those games. Giving new life to Dallas by handing them four points would be dangerous. Minnesota has one final home game against the Edmonton Oilers before heading west to end the season against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.