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5 reasons why Minnesota Wild will win Stanley Cup

By David Rouben

ST PAUL, MN - APRIL 2: The Minnesota Wild celebrate defeating Edmonton Oilers 3-0 after the game on April 2, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Oilers 3-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN - APRIL 2: The Minnesota Wild celebrate defeating Edmonton Oilers 3-0 after the game on April 2, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Oilers 3-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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ST. PAUL, MN – MARCH 25: Eric Staal
ST. PAUL, MN – MARCH 25: Eric Staal /

1. Eric Staal has aged like a fine wine

There have been few more inspiring stories this season than Eric Staal’s career resurgence. He was long forgotten as a No. 1 center since his Carolina Hurricanes haven’t made the playoffs since 2009. And when he subsequently joined the New York Rangers and Wild, his teams got unceremoniously bounced in five games.

But this season, Staal has been back with a vengeance. After failing to appear in all 82 games since 2011-12, he has done it in back-to-back seasons with the Wild. He has also scored 40 goals for the first time since 2008-09 and unlike his opponents’ other 40-goal scorer, he hasn’t gone incognito for nearly a month.

Staal’s excellent season has elevated the play of his linemates Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter. For the first time in Zucker’s career, he reached the 30-goal and 60-point threshold. Mikael Granlund anchors a strong second line too, but the Wild will only go as far as Staal is willing to take them. And if his play this season has been any indication, they’ll be going pretty damn far.

Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs

The torture that Minnesota sports fans have experienced is enough to give Atlanta sports a run for its money. But this Wild team is experienced, hungry and eager to prove their doubters wrong. A common refrain in their dressing room will be “why not us,” while the chip on their shoulder will be mountain-sized. That approach worked for the Philadelphia Eagles, and it can work for the scrappy Wild, as well.

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