Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Wild have already hit the road for a week-long trip out East that will start in Tampa (Lightning), swing down through Sunrise (Panthers), before finishing 1,500 miles up the coast in Boston (Bruins).
All three of their opponents have winning records and two — Tampa Bay (91 points) and Boston (86 points) are battling for a top three spot in the Atlantic Division. How much the Wild have to play for, on the other hand, is up for debate.
Even if Minnesota did somehow climb from No. 3 to No. 2 in the division, they’re almost guaranteed to play the Dallas Stars (97 points) in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
WELCOME TO THE TARASENKSHOW 🎬
Vladimir Tarasenko lifts the Wild past the Stars with the Subway Canada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/MSnnNaoqcK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 21, 2026
With 11 games remaining on their 2026 regular season schedule, Minnesota (92 points) would have to make up five points in the Central, in order to secure home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. And Utah, at 80 points, are not applying any pressure in 4th place.
MN Wild leaders Kaprizov, Foligno and Eriksson Ek nearing return
Meanwhile, the MN Wild have been dealing with injuries to three of their most influential locker room leaders, including top superstar, Kirill Kaprizov. However, according to Michael Russo (The Athletic) all three players are with the team for their East Coast swing this week and all three are practicing today.
Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno all practicing for #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 23, 2026
Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Foligno all traveled, but up in the air when they play https://t.co/IRy8pEFhiK
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 23, 2026
The Wild aren’t the only Central Division team preparing for an East Coast swing. After Dallas plays (35-32-2) New Jersey Tuesday night at home, they too will hit the road for the same thing, hitting four stops along the way — New York (Isles), Pittsburgh, Philly and Boston between Thursday and next Tuesday.
No doubt the MN Wild will be watching closely between now and then. If they have any shot to catch their Central Division rival and steal home-ice advantage for their playoff series next month, they’ll need the stars to lose at least a couple of their five games between this Tuesday (March 24) and next Tuesday (March 31).
Related: House Fire Kills MN Wild Reporter and Her Kids
By then, the Minnesota Wild should have a very good idea on whether or not they stand a chance of catching the Stars, before the start of the postseason. If not, we can expect a lot of interesting lineups during the final week two weeks of the regular season, come April.
Mentioned in this article: injury updates Joel Eriksson Ek Kirill Kaprizov Marcus Foligno
More About:Minnesota Wild
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.