Wild Falls to Sabres

Thanks to the Minnesota Wild, if the season ended today, the Buffalo Sabres would make the playoffs.

With a 3-1 victory over Minnesota at First Niagara Center on Saturday night, the Sabres moved into the top eight in the Eastern Conference for the first time since Dec. 19.

That’s two days after the Wild fell from the tippy-top of the NHL standings, meaning the Sabres’ upswing has been about as astonishing as the Wild’s downswing.

Minnesota Wild Will Play the Spoiler

The Minnesota Wild may be mathematically out of the playoffs, but they do have some great opposing teams coming to the X. The Rangers, Panthers and Kings will all be making an appearance in the next week.

Don't miss these great playoff contenders! Who knows? Maybe Minnesota can play the spoiler!

Wild Rangers

Wild Panthers

Wild Kings

Minnesota Wild Basically Out of Playoffs

With ten games to play in the regular season, the Minnesota Wild are 14 points back from a playoff spot, and currently sit in 13th place in the West. Captain Mikko Koivu returns tonight against the Calgary Flames, in what will be a solid morale boost for a defeated team and a deflated Wild fan base.

Yes, baseball is around the corner. I'm a huge baseball fan. I know this.

With little chance to play the spring hockey fans are longing for, it is easy to dismiss the season and head for Target Field (with the Xcel in the rear view). However, before grabbing your glove and Pavano jersey, make sure you keep at least one eye on the Wild as the season winds down.

Minnesota Wild Goalie Position

Niklas Backstrom is sidelined for two week as the result of a groin strain, but an aggressive rehab could have him back on the ice as the end of the 2011-12 season ends.

Josh Harding has been less of an asset as his second-half slump has continued, making him worthless at the trade deadline and shook the confidence of the impending unrestricted free agent.

Matt Hackett was recalled to back up Harding during Backstrom's absence. It appears that all he does is stop pucks, stopping 100 out of 102 shots in his five NHL appearances this season.

Bottom line: the Minnesota Wild goalies position is up for grabs.