Round 2 Playoff Predictions

Eastern Conference

1 Boston Bruins vs. 6 Carolina - Boston in 7
2 Washington Capitals vs. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins - Pittsburgh in 6

Western Conference

2 Detroit Red Wings vs. 8 Anaheim Ducks - Detroit in 6
3 Vancouver Canucks vs. 4 Chicago Blackhawks - Vancouver in 7

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Round 2 Schedule

SERIES I	#1 vs. #6	NETWORK
Friday, May 1	at Boston, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
Sunday, May 3	at Boston, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, May 6	at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
Friday, May 8	at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Sunday, May 10	at Boston, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Tuesday, May 12	at Carolina, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14	at Boston, TBD	TSN
SERIES J	#2 vs. #4	NETWORK
Saturday, May 2	at Washington, 1:00 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Monday, May 4	at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Wednesday, May 6	at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, May 8	at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 9	at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, May 11	at Pittsburgh, TBD	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, May 13	at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
SERIES K	#2 vs. #8	NETWORK
Friday, May 1	at Detroit, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN2
Sunday, May 3	at Detroit, 2:00 p.m.	NBC, TSN
Tuesday, May 5	at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
Thursday, May 7	at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Sunday, May 10	at Detroit, 5:00 p.m.	TSN
*Tuesday, May 12	at Anaheim, TBD	VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14	at Detroit, TBD	VERSUS, TSN
SERIES L	#3 vs. #4	NETWORK
Thursday, April 30	at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Saturday, May 2	at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, May 5	at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, May 7	at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
*Saturday, May 9	at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m	CBC, VERSUS
*Monday, May 11	at Chicago, 9:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Thursday, May 14	at Vancouver, TBD	CBC, VERSUS

* - if necessary

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Backstrom, Vezina Nominee

Here's the story from NHL.com

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Last Two Weeks, Quick Look at the Roster

Just a little over two weeks since the end of the season for the Minnesota Wild, and I've been a little depressed hockey-wise with no rooting interests in the Stanley Cup playoffs and the injuries that have been coming out of the woodworks since the beginning of the offseason have just made it worse.

Here's some bullet points of the the last two weeks since the season has ended and a look at the player situation right now for the Wild:

• Jacques Lemaire resigned from his position as head coach of the Minnesota Wild.
• Doug Risebrough's contract was "not renewed" by Craig Leipold, as the Wild will now have to search for a new GM and coach.
• Bad luck for players with last names beginning with 'B' in the organization as Bouchard, Brunette, Burns, Boogaard, Backstrom, and Bergeron are all currently injuried, along with Koivu, Schultz and Fritsche.
• Wild send 5 players to the IIHF WCs in Switzerland: Zidlicky (Cze), Miettinen (Fin), Harding (Can), Olvecky (Svk), and Madsen (Den).
• The search for a GM is on!

As for the Wild’s GM search, I hear Craig Leipold has more than 25 applicants, and he’s weeding out some names currently.

I also hear the interview process has begun, but I won’t start throwing names on unless I get it 100 percent confirmed that they’ve met. I am pretty sure one (Irish) bigwig that I’ve quoted in the past week was in town, but like I said, unless I find out that he was 100 percent in town to meet with the Wild, I’m not going to assume why he was here.

But you know things are getting down to the nitty gritty because suddenly candidates either don’t return calls or are hesitant to speak on the record. That typically means the process has reached a stage where everybody thinks they’ve got a chance for the job and don’t want to say anything to spoil their chances at it. ~Russo

Players under contract for the 09-10 season:

• Pierre-Marc Bouchard, C - concussion
  
• Mikko Koivu, C - knee
  
• Owen Nolan, R
• Andrew Brunette, L - knee
  
• Antti Miettinen, L
• Eric Belanger, C
• James Sheppard, C
• Colton Gillies, C
• Derek Boogaard, L - shoulder
  
• Cal Clutterbuck, R
• Craig Weller, R
• Kim Johnsson, D
• Brent Burns, D - concussion, shoulder
  
• Nick Schultz, D - concussion
  
• Marek Zidlicky, D
• John Scott, D
• Niklas Backstrom, G - hip

Restricted Free Agents:

• Benoit Pouliot, C
• Dan Fritsche, C - broken collarbone
• Peter Olvecky, L
• Danny Irmen, C
• Josh Harding, G

Unrestricted Free Agents:

• Marian Gaborik, L
• Stephane Veilleux, L
• Krys Kolanos, C
• Martin Skoula, D
• Marc-Andre Bergeron, D - back
  
• Kurtis Foster, D
• Tomas Mojzis, D
• Nolan Schaefer, G

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2009 IIHF World Championships

With the IIHF World Championships just two days away in Switzerland, I thought I'd throw up a little tidbit about the World Championships. The Wild will have 5 players playing for their countries during the World Championships which are Josh Harding (Can), Morten Madsen (Den), Antti Miettinen (Fin), Peter Olvecky (Svk), and Marek Zidlicky (Cze). Usually during the World Championships teams don't have their big names in place because of the NHL playoffs. There are some names that Wild fans might recognize on some rosters like Petteri Nummelin (Fin), Rickard Wallin (Swe), and Mattais Weinhandl (Swe). They haven't released the where the games will be broadcasted yet, but people can watch the games online at the IIHF website for all 56 games at 39.95 Euros (51.79 USD) or a single game for 6.95 Euros (9.00 USD).

Here's the complete schedule for the games:

Remember that Zurich/Berne is 7 hours ahead of the central time zone.

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Next GM, Injury News

The question now after Craig Leipold "didn't renew" Doug Risebrough's contract is: Who will be the Minnesota Wild's general manager? Michael Russo threw out some names which includes Pat Quinn, Doug MacLean, Jay Feaster, Rick Dudley, Neil Smith, Pierre McGuire, Chuck Fletcher, Ron Hextall and Peter Chiarelli. And...uh...Jacques Lemaire has already told Russo that he's not intereseted in being the GM. Whoever it is will have to make a lot of major decisions this offseason, and they'll be important ones, starting with who will be the next head coach.

News on other fronts:
From Russo's article:

Backstrom said Thursday he might need surgery.

"I saw a doctor today, and the team doctors, and we have to decide now in a couple days if I need surgery," Backstrom said. "I need to get other opinions, and also from back home in Finland. It's tough for me because everything's in English, so I need someone to translate to me so I know exactly what's going on."

Backstrom said he hoped to talk to Gaborik so he can see his hip specialist, Marc Philippon of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo. Backstrom said the recovery from surgery "is speculated, but in my mind, I'll be ready by the start of the season."

Isn't that just great :( ... Andrew Brunette had successful reconstructive right knee surgery, and Derek Boogaard will have surgery on his right shoulder on Tuesday.

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Risebrough Fired by Leipold

Via Russo and NHL.com:

Minnesota Wild Owner, Craig Leipold, announced today that the organization will not renew the contract of President and General Manager, Doug Risebrough, beyond the 2008-2009 season.

"The entire Minnesota Wild organization is forever indebted to Doug for his substantial efforts in establishing this franchise's solid foundation and winning tradition," said Leipold. "The positive impact of Doug's service will be felt for many years to come. We wish Doug the very best."

The search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. The first order of business for the incoming General Manager will be to select the team's next Head Coach.

Until a replacement is found, Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn, will be acting-General Manager.

From Craig Leipold:

Wild fans,

I wanted to personally be the one to tell you of my very difficult decision not to renew Doug Risebrough’s contract beyond the 2008-2009 season. I have agonized over this decision for some time now, but ultimately, I reached the conclusion that change was in order.

I cannot begin to thank Doug enough for all that he has done for this organization over the past nine years. When he arrived he brought instant credibility, expertise and extraordinary work ethic to an expansion franchise in desperate need of those things. He then worked tirelessly to build the Minnesota Wild into one of the premier franchises in the NHL. So much of our success – on and off the ice – is directly attributable to Doug’s leadership and his legacy will remain evident for years to come in the aura of success and winning tradition that defines this place. I know that you’ll join me in wishing Doug and his family the very best.

The search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. The first order of business for the incoming General Manager will be to select the next Head Coach.

On behalf of our entire organization, we thank Wild fans for the incredible support you’ve given us.

Craig Leipold

It's something that Wild fans have been calling for since the beginning of the season, and with the disappointment of not making the playoffs, it doesn't come as a shocker...but it is. The Wild are now a team without a GM and a head coach, and with a team that was already facing a lot of questions going into the offseason, the main question will now be...

Who will be the next GM of the Minnesota Wild?

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The Best of Jacques Lemaire

It's just HILARIOUS...Jacques' sound bites will be missed...I love how he laughs at his own jokes, LOL.

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Quarterfinals Picks

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
1 Boston Bruins vs. 8 Montreal Canadiens - Boston in 6
2 Washington Capitals vs. 7 New York Rangers - Washington in 6
3 New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes - New Jersey in 6
4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers - Philadelphia in 7

Western Conference Quarterfinals
1 San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks - San Jose in 7
2 Detroit Red Wings vs. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets - Detroit in 6
3 Vancouver Canucks vs. 6 St. Louis Blues - Vancouver in 6
4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5 Calgary Flames - Chicago in 6

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Stanley Cup Playoffs Quarterfinals Schedule

2009 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES A		#1 vs. #8	Network
Thursday, April 16		at Boston, 7:00 p.m.	CBC, RDS
Saturday, April 18		at Boston, 8:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Monday, April 20		at Montreal, 7:00 p.m.	CBC, RDS
Wednesday, April 22		at Montreal, 7:00 p.m.	CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25		at Boston, 7:00 p.m.	CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27		at Montreal, TBD	CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29		at Boston, TBD	CBC, RDS
SERIES B		#2 vs. #7	Network
Wednesday, April 15,		at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	TSN
Saturday, April 18		at Washington, 1:00 p.m.	NBC, TSN
Monday, April 20		at New York, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, April 22		at New York, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Friday, April 24		at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN, RDS
*Sunday, April 26		at New York, 2:00 p.m.	NBC, TSN, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28		at Washington, TBD	VERSUS, TSN, RDS
SERIES C		#3 vs. #6	Network
Wednesday, April 15		at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, RIS
Friday, April 17		at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, RIS
Sunday, April 19		at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, RIS
Tuesday, April 21		at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, RIS
*Thursday, April 23		at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, RIS
*Sunday, April 26		at Carolina, TBD	TSN, VERSUS
*Tuesday, April 28		at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.	TSN
SERIES D		#4 vs. #5	Network
Wednesday, April 15		at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, April 17		at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19		at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21		at Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Thursday, April 23		at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25		at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m.	NBC, CBC
*Monday, April 27		at Pittsburgh, TBD	VERSUS, CBC
2009 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES E		#1 vs. #8	Network
Thursday, April 16		at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19		at San Jose, 10:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21		at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, April 23		at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25		at San Jose, 10:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27		at Anaheim, TBD	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29		at San Jose, TBD	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
SERIES F		#2 vs. #7	Network
Thursday, April 16		at Detroit, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
Saturday, April 18		at Detroit, 6:00 p.m.	TSN
Tuesday, April 21		at Columbus, 7:00 p.m.	TSN
Thursday, April 23		at Columbus, 7:00 p.m.	TSN
*Saturday, April 25		at Detroit, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Monday, April 27		at Columbus, TBD	TSN
*Wednesday, April 29		at Detroit, TBD	VERSUS, TSN
SERIES G		#3 vs. #6	Network
Wednesday, April 15		at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Friday, April 17		at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Sunday, April 19		at St. Louis, 7:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, April 21		at St. Louis, 8:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
*Friday, April 24		at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Sunday, April 26		at St. Louis, 8:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28		at Vancouver, TBD	CBC, VERSUS, RDS
SERIES H		#4 vs. #5	Network
Thursday, April 16		at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.	TSN, VERSUS
Saturday, April 18		at Chicago, TBD	TSN
Monday, April 20		at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.	TSN, VERSUS
Wednesday, April 22		at Calgary, TBD	TSN, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 25		at Chicago, 10:00 p.m.	TSN, RIS
*Monday, April 27		at Calgary, TBD	TSN
*Wednesday, April 29		at Chicago, TBD	TSN

- * denotes if necessary
- All Times are Eastern Standard Time

Courtesy of NHL.com

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Predators, 4 vs. Wild, 8

The Wild did their part in this game, it's just too bad that they didn't do their part in the season, as the Wild have now been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with St. Louis defeating Columbus and Anaheim defeating Dallas. Onto a pretty good game by the Wild...

Nashville got the first lead of the game when turnovers in the Wild's defensive zone lead to Jason Arnott's first goal of the game, but on a delayed penalty Dan Fritsche scores on the breakaway to even up the score. Andrew Brunette caps off the scoring in the first period when he scored with 25.2 seconds left in the period on the powerplay to give the Wild a 2-1 lead going into the second. The Wild got the two goal lead in the second period when Marc-Andre Bergeron, but what really overshadowed the goal was Fritsche laying on the ice. As Fritsche was searching for the puck, Jordin Tootoo comes across with a high elbow and Fritsche laid on the ice, while Bergeron scored, and had to be helped off the ice. Kim Johnsson then adds a powerplay tally, but not long afterward Arnott cuts the lead in half as he notches in his second goal on the night. And as Tootoo is in the box, Bergeron gets his second goal of the game on the powerplay to make it 5-2 at the end of the second period. In the third, the Preds make it 5-3 on the powerplay as they had a 5 on 3 powerplay, but not long afterward, Mikko Koivu scores shorthanded to give the Wild a 6-3 lead. Steve Sullivan makes it 6-4 with a goal, but with less than two minutes left in regulation, Nashville pulled their goalie Pekka Rinne, and Cal Clutterbuck and Marek Zidlicky score empty netters to end the game and the home finale a 8-4 victory.

I guess it's a small consolation that the Wild eliminated the Predators from playoff contention...

Notes:

• Looks like Gaby's not going to be coming back next year (big surprise) as at the end of the night he took a lap around the rink and waved buh-bye, and the crowd gave him a big ovation, which did include me
  
• Dan Fritsche will not travel with the team after receiving a high hit from Preds agitator Jordin Tootoo. It will be the first game that Fristche has missed since being traded from the Rangers. My problem with the hit, it's obviously a hit to the head, and there are two refs watching the play and call nothing...and he was playing so well during the game...
  
  I really wished that the refs would've let John Scott get at Tootoo.
  
• The writers during JL presser really wanted to know whether or not he would be back next season. When asked if JL would be curious to see what the team would be like if he had a full team, he responded in true JL fashion that he's "curious but not that curious", but apparently he's already made a desicion on his future in coaching.
  
• SI's Allan Muir comparing Martin Skoula's physicality to a "pre-pubescent Zac Efron" really made my day...and for the record, I like Skoula...
• “Only in the NHL: A linesman had to pause the game for a few seconds to pick up two teeth from the mouth of Brunette after he was hit in the face with a puck in the second period” ~AP
  

UP NEXT: Saturday @ Columbus Blue Jackets, 6:00pm CT (I know that the guys are really disappointed in not making the playoffs, but I really hope we beat the Jackets badly tomorrow for not helping out cause.)

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Stars, 1 vs. Wild, 3

It's just a little too late for the Wild to have any hopes of making the playoffs. With the St. Louis Blues handily defeating the Phoenix Coyotes last night, the Wild made no ground with their 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars and still remain 3 points out of the eighth and final spot in the playoffs. And with the Blues' win, the Wild's fatal number is now ONE. Well, at least Nashville lost to Chicago, so the Wild are one point behind them for ninth, and Edmonton lost to Los Angeles and are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

On to something less depressing: the game...the first period didn't start out well for the Wild as they didn't register a shot on goal until almost the half way point of the period, but from then on, they had a better game. Marian Gaborik got the scoring going, as he got a great feed from Andrew Brunette to make it a 1-0 score by the end of the first period. A couple of powerplay goals by Eric Belanger and Owen Nolan and some great saves by Niklas Backstrom and the Wild start the third period with a 3-0 lead. Fabian Brunnstrom scored for the Dallas Stars in the third to end Backstrom's bid for a shutout, but all in all, the Wild played a solid game...and with only TWO games left in the season, I'd rather not dwell on the bad...well, that is until I do the season recap.

"Buy your tickets. Get in line. It'll be interesting." -- Lemaire on Friday's game

Notes:

• Scratches: Derek Boogaard, Craig Weller (listed as out with a concussion, but when did he get a concussion or is it the lingering effects of the one he had earlier in the season?), Brent Burns, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Nick Schultz.
• At least now we know when Burns got his concussion:

  "Burns got a concussion in practice after the January All-Star Game, yet he played through it until two hits were the final straw during a March 5 game at San Jose." ~ Michael Russo, Star Tribune
  

• I love Adrian Peterson, but he totally gaffed on the "Let's Play Hockey" call...so much for "practice makes perfect" right. Well, at least it wasn't a misplay on the word "puck".
  
  
• With Schultz missing the game because of a head injury, Antti Miettinen and James Sheppard remain the only players to have played in all 80 games this season.
• In 15 games this season, Gaborik is 11-7-18, since his return he is 8-5-13 in 9 games and is riding a five game point streak, and in his 500th game he had a 1-2-3 night.
  
• With his 25th goal of the season, Nolan becomes the 4th player in franchise history to reach the 25 goal mark in a Wild uniform. Others who did it, Gaborik - five times, Brian Rolston - three times, Pavol Demitra - one time; the trend here, no Rolston, no Demitra, and soon, no Gaborik.
• Stats of the night: Clutterbuck - TOI 16:38, 8 SOG, 6 Hits, 2 Blocked Shots
• Gosh...those players' jerseys look HUGE!
  

• Hope that all of you caught this yesterday, but if you didn't, former Minnesota Wild forward Jim Dowd officially announced his retirement on NHL Live after playing 17 seasons with 10 NHL teams.
  

UP NEXT: Friday vs. Nashville Predators, 7:00pm CT

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Games to Watch This Week

Tuesday, April 7
Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks, 9:00pm CT

Thursday, April 9
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins, 6:00pm CT

Friday, April 10
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. St. Louis Blues, 7:30pm CT
Calgary vs. Edmonton Oilers, 8:00pm CT

Saturday, April 11
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings, 2:00pm CT
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames, 9:00pm CT

Sunday, April 12
Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 1:00pm CT
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4:00pm CT

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Flames, 0 vs. Wild, 4

A year ago last night, the Wild were facing the Calgary Flames, already having clinched a playoff spot, they were on the cusps of clinching their first Northwest division title. Fast forward to today, and the Wild are battling for their playoff lives, hanging onto a sliver of hope and playing against the same Calgary Flames team, a team in which the last win the Wild had against them was a year ago.

The Wild came out with a purpose againt the Flames, and it showed in the results. With a powerplay opportunity early in the first period, the Wild get the first goal of the game when Andrew Brunette tipped in the puck past Miika Kiprusoff off of a Marek Zidlicky shot from the point. Not even a half a minute later, Cal Clutterbuck ends his 30-game goal-less drought, as he scores his 9th goal of the season. The Wild makes it 3-0 when Owen Nolan takes a slap shot that squeezes through Kiprusoff and gives him his team leading 24th goal of the season. The Wild end the first period with a 3-0 lead, and tell me you weren't thinking about the Ottawa Senators, the last game that the Wild scored three goals in the first period, but luckily, the Wild didn't have a repeat of the Valentine's day fiasco. The Wild were a litle sloppy in the second period (and yes, I had a little Sean Avery moment), taking three consecutive penalties and basically passing the puck to the Flames players. But Niklas Backstrom was solid when he needed to be and the penalty killers were great. The third period was a good solid period where fans saw that the Wild didn't sit back on a lead. The Wild had some prime scoring chances, a couple of missed open nets, a couple of wide shots, but the Wild were keeping the pressure on the Flames, and eventually made it 4-0 when Marian Gaborik scored off of a great feed from James Sheppard. Overall, it was a great game by the Wild, and a great overall effort by everyone on the ice last night, and it showed onbrhe boxscore as 12 of the 18 skaters got a point.

Today will be a crucial day for the Wild, and they're not even playing. A lot I scoreboard watching, and a lot of rooting for the Sharks, Blue Jackets, Stars...and...(gulp) the Canucks.

Notes:
• Scratches: Kolanos, Olvecky, Gillies, Boogaard, Bouchard, Burns
• Kiprusoff was pulled after Clutterbuck's goal, but later put back in net. Total time spent off the ice: 12 seconds.
• Backstrom made 27 saves for his 16th career shutout, 13th career at home, and 8th this season, second only to Steve Mason (10).
• How good was Martin Skoula last night? He played almost 25 minutes, had an assist and was solid all night, he was robbed of the first star.

UP NEXT: Sunday @ Detroit Red Wings, 11:30am CT, NBC

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Things to Watch in the Last 5 Games

How well will Marian Gaborik will play in order to improve his UFA status this summer? So far, in the 6 games since his return, Gaborik has had 5 goals and 3 assists.

Will Josh Harding get a start in order to create more buzz around his RFA status and to up his stock for a potential trade this summer?

Will the minor league call ups (Krys Kolanos, John Scott, and Peter Olvecky) who were on the Aeros' clear day roster be sent down before the end of the season to help the Aeros in their playoff run?

Will Brent Burns and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who are both out with concussions, play another game this season?

Will Derek Boogaard score his first goal in over 2 seasons? He's had a couple of good scoring chances this season, but has been injured as of late.

Will the Wild make the playoffs?...Hey they still have a 16.6% chance to get into the playoffs (that's up 2.2% from yesterday)

You got to love April Fools Day jokes...well maybe not if you're Eric Belanger...

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Canucks, 2 vs. Wild 1 OT

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

You can see the disappointment in the body language of Kim Johnsson and Niklas Backstrom after the game winning goal in overtime by Henrik Sedin. This was an essential game that the needed to gain the two points, and game after game in these must wins and got to get situations, the Wild have failed to secure the two points. After a scoreless first period, the second period looking like it was going to end scoreless too, when on the powerplay Antti Miettinen took a suspect hooking penalty as Ryan Kesler got past Eric Belanger on the point and deep into the Minnesota zone. And with 1:02 left in the second period, Pavol Demitra scored on the powerplay (his 300th goal, and 3 goal vs. the Wild) as the puck deflected into the net past Backstrom off of Johnsson. The Wild tied the game when Andrew Brunette made a pass to Gaborik, who was moving toward the front of Roberto Luongo, and scored. The Wild had a strong third period, as they didn't allow the Canucks any shots, and had the opportunity to put the game away when Sami Salo took a delay of game penalty as he shot the puck over the glass with 26.8 seconds in the powerplay, but nothing amounted from the powerplay as the two teams were still tied at 1 at the end of regulation. With a lengthy 4-on-3 powerplay in overtime (1:28) and numerous opportunities afterward, the Wild were able to generate good scoring chances, but weren't able to put the puck past Luongo. And with exactly one minute left in the overtime session, Henrik Sedin was able to score to give the Canucks the win and the Northwest division lead. The Wild played a solid 60 minutes of hockey, and outshot the Canucks 39-19, but it just wasn't good enough to get the job done.

Mathematically, the Wild are still capable of making the playoffs, but realistically (and I think the players are coming to terms with this) they are out. With just FIVE games left (OMG) to have any hope of making the playoffs, they'll need to win all five games...and when was the last time that the Wild had more than two wins in a row, hell, when was the last time that the Wild had back to back wins?

Notes:

• Scratches: Kurtis Foster, Brent Burns, Peter Olvecky, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Colton Gillies, and Derek Boogaard
• The Wild went 0-for-5 on the powerplay
• The Canucks scored 2 goals on their last 3 shots.
  
• Stats from the night: Zidlicky TOI 31:38, Johnsson TOI 30:56
• In the 6 games since Gaborik's return, he has 5 goals and 8 points.
  
• At the beginning of the game the fan sitting next to me was pointing out Canucks players to his date, and he said, "Did you know that the Canucks have biological twins on their team? Yeah, the Sundin twins, Mats and Henrik." Yes, it's true the fan next to me actually said this, and me being a polite little girl didn't correct him in front of his date.

UP NEXT: Friday vs. Calgary Flames, 7:00pm CT

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