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On April 8, the Minnesota Wild clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What was yet to be determined was who their opponent in the first round would be. The thought was the Wild would face either Anaheim or St. Louis, both of whom were leading their respective divisions at the time. When the dust settled on the regular season Sunday, it was the Colorado Avalanche who turned out to be Minnesota's opponent in the first round.
Craig Smith had two goals and two assists for Nashville, and the Predators finished the season strong with a 7-3 win over the playoff-bound Minnesota Wild on Sunday night. The Wild wrapped up the first wild card spot in the Western Conference earlier in the week and already had their first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche set before the game, so there were few motivators other than the maintenance of health and momentum and maybe a statistical milestone or two.
Single-game tickets for the Minnesota Wild's first-round home playoff games go on sale Saturday. Tickets for all three potential home games will be available starting at 10 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.
The Minnesota Wild went into Tuesday night knowing they would only need one more point to clinch a playoff berth in the Western Conference. The task would not come easy as the Boston Bruins, the defending Eastern Conference champions, were in town. Fortunately for the Wild, their play-off berth was solidified before the start of the third period. The Phoenix Coyotes lost their game in overtime to the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3.
One of the real spark plugs for the recent Wild surge is the performance of Charlie Coyle, who is the poster child for the development of the younger players on this team.
Charlie Coyle scored in the second period and Ilya Bryzgalov made 24 saves as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Winnipeg Jets 1-0 on Monday night. Coyle's one-timer off a pass from Zach Parise at 1:05 of the second came just after a penalty to Winnipeg defenseman Mark Stuart had expired.
Cody McCormick had a goal and an assist and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped all 20 shots he faced as the Minnesota Wild beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 Saturday night. Erik Haula, Mikko Koivu, and Stephane Veilleux also scored for the Wild, who maintained a five-point cushion over Dallas for the seventh playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Minnesota Wild have recalled goalie John Curry and forward Jake Dowell from the AHL. The 30-year-old Curry is 7-9-2 with a 2.62 goals against average and .920 save percentage this season for the Iowa Wild.
The Minnesota Wild signed college free agent defenseman Christian Folin to a two-year, entry-level contract. Folin ended his career with Massachusetts-Lowell, finishing his sophomore season with four goals and 16 assists in 41 games.
Matt Moulson and Mikko Koivu scored 62 seconds apart early in the third period, and Zach Parise connected during a power play for the Wild, who snapped the Kings' six-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory on Monday night.
The Minnesota Wild were reeling. The Phoenix Coyotes were rolling. Then the teams met Saturday night and everything turned around. Zach Parise scored two of Minnesota's three third-period goals and the Wild rallied to beat the Coyotes 3-1 on Saturday night in a game with important playoff implications.
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Wild played their final home game against the Vancouver Canucks before starting a four game road trip. With games coming against St. Louis, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Chicago it was important to get two points against a Vancouver team that had been imploding over the last couple months.
David Booth scored two unassisted goals and Eddie Lack made 29 saves to lead the Vancouver Canucks over the Minnesota Wild 5-2 on Wednesday night. Zack Kassian, Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler also scored for Vancouver as the Canucks try to make a late push to overtake Phoenix and Dallas for the Western Conference's final wild-card playoff spot.
Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom and forward Jason Zucker had surgery this week to address injuries that ended their seasons. The Wild announced Wednesday that Backstrom had surgery in Philadelphia on Tuesday on a core muscle injury. The injury bothered Backstrom for much of the season. He went 5-11-2 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. He has not played since Jan. 30. The team says it expects him to be fully recovered in time for next season.
Matt Moulson's goal at 2:15 of overtime gave the Minnesota Wild a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night. Charlie Coyle had a goal and an assist and Jason Pominville and Zach Parise also scored for Minnesota. Ryan Suter had two assists and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 13 shots.
Andy Greene scored from in close 2 minutes into overtime and the Devils snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in Zach Parise's first game back in New Jersey against his former teammates. Adam Henrique and Patrik Elias each had three assists and combined to set up the game-winner for New Jersey, which blew a two-goal third-period lead. Michael Ryder, Mark Fayne and Jaromir Jagr also scored for New Jersey, which played with a lot more energy with their playoff hopes fading in the wake of the losing streak.
It was a playoff-like atmosphere for the Minnesota Wild Thursday night with the New York Rangers in town, and the Wild ended a three-game winless skid with a 2-1 victory over the Rangers.
Avery Peterson of Grand Rapids is the Minnesota Associated Press Player of the Year for high school boys hockey. The award and the AP all-state team were announced on Monday.
Not even some inside information from Olympic teammate Zach Parise could stop T.J. Oshie in a shootout. Oshie and Alexander Steen scored shootout goals and the St. Louis Blues took over the top spot in the NHL standings with a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night.
Going into the NHL trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild weren't thought to be very active. Holding on to the first wild-card seed in the Western Conference, Minnesota should be a playoff team if they continue to play as they have since Jan. 1. If anything, the thought was the Wild would address the goal-tending situation and that would probably be it. Minnesota did that and then some. The Wild made two trades at the deadline, getting Ilya Bryzgalov from Edmonton and acquiring Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick from Buffalo.
The Buffalo Sabres have traded forwards Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Torrey Mitchell. The Sabres also acquired a pair of second-round draft picks in a deal made just before the NHL's trade deadline hit Wednesday. Moulson changes teams for a second time this year after the Sabres acquired him in a deal that sent leading scorer Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders in October. In his seventh NHL season, Moulson is a three-time 30-goal-scorer, who has 17 goals and 38 points in 55 games this season.
The Minnesota Wild traded for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday in conjunction with their decision to shut down ailing veteran Niklas Backstrom.
Jared Spurgeon's power-play goal in the third period helped the Minnesota Wild notch their season-high fifth straight win, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
The Minnesota Wild were concerned how the Olympic break might affect their momentum. So far, no problem. Justin Fontaine's goal in the seventh round of the shootout gave the Minnesota Wild a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Brian Connelly from the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday in exchange for forward Brad Winchester.
A Minnesota family is finally welcoming home U.S Army Captain Willibald C. Bianchi, a war hero they waited more than 80 years to find.
The Minnesota Twins were beaten by the Rays 6-2 on Friday night in the first game of the series. Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda each hit two home runs for Tampa Bay.
Flooding at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Lake County, Minnesota, has made some trails in the area inaccessible.
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.
A bill to ban most bets on prediction markets is ready for a Minnesota Senate floor vote just days after a lawmaker sparked controversy by putting money on his own primary race for Congress.
Law enforcement agencies are looking for an incarcerated man who fled from a community work crew in Plymouth, Minnesota, on Friday, according to the state's Department of Corrections.
The mother of the victim of a fatal shooting at a housing complex in Edina, Minnesota, on Wednesday is speaking out.
A lion at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has been euthanized after he was diagnosed with an "untreatable tumor" within his nasal sinuses, according to officials with the St. Paul, Minnesota, facility.
Minnesota will be on center stage in just five years, playing host to a world fair.
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Maplewood, Minnesota, was arrested in Illinois Friday, the morning after the killing, police said.
A Minnesota family is finally welcoming home U.S Army Captain Willibald C. Bianchi, a war hero they waited more than 80 years to find.
Flooding at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Lake County, Minnesota, has made some trails in the area inaccessible.
A worker on a boom truck that was trying to help a commercial vehicle move through a western Minnesota intersection was thrown from the bucket Thursday afternoon, officials say.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
For more than 50 years, Steve Nesseth has answered the call, not for the recognition, but because for him service is simply a way of life.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
Dozens of former employees are now suing their former bosses after they were all abruptly laid off from a metal fabrication plant in western Wisconsin.
Officials say more than 100 homes were damaged and one person was injured in a "significant tornado outbreak" across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa on Friday.
A woman was found dead at a complex on the Mississippi River in Winona County, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Mackenzie Reed, head custodian at Shakopee East Middle School, has painted large-scale murals throughout the building she once attended as a student, creating a more welcoming space for current students.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
A bill to ban most bets on prediction markets is ready for a Minnesota Senate floor vote just days after a lawmaker sparked controversy by putting money on his own primary race for Congress.
Prediction markets are getting a lot of attention lately, especially after a Minnesota lawmaker put money on his own race. Now, a bill to ban most of that type of betting is ready for a vote on the state Senate floor. Caroline Cummings looks into the odds of it passing this year.
A bill honoring Kari Dziedzic and Melissa Hortman, including building renamings and other tributes, has passed a key Senate committee.
State lawmakers across the U.S. are increasing security measures as political violence rises.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that the Federal Reserve's inspector general will investigate cost overruns in project to renovate the central bank's headquarters.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
The bill would provide an average refund increase of $171 to homeowners after sharp property tax increases across the state this year.
The bills aim to close what supporters call a gambling law loophole, allowing for these prediction markets to flourish with no regulations.
It's a bittersweet changing of kegs and hands in northeast Minneapolis as HeadFlyer Brewing issued a permanent last call on Sunday.
Minnesota continues to beat the national gas price average, but there are still ways to save in the metro area.
Law enforcement agencies are looking for an incarcerated man who fled from a community work crew in Plymouth, Minnesota, on Friday, according to the state's Department of Corrections.
The mother of the victim of a fatal shooting at a housing complex in Edina, Minnesota, on Wednesday is speaking out.
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Maplewood, Minnesota, was arrested in Illinois Friday, the morning after the killing, police said.
State lawmakers across the U.S. are increasing security measures as political violence rises.
Improved response times, re-training and new strategies are part of Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara's stated commitment to helping victims of domestic violence. For the family members of two dead victims, the current efforts aren't enough.
Minnesota lawmakers are calling for the humanitarian release of a woman detained earlier this year amid Operation Metro Surge who is suffering from a tennis ball-sized ovarian cyst.
For more than 50 years, Steve Nesseth has answered the call, not for the recognition, but because for him service is simply a way of life.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
National Nurses United warns Hennepin County Medical Center could close following federal health care cuts under H.R. 1, threatening care across Minnesota and the Midwest.
Hundreds of nursing home workers from across the Twin Cities are on strike Monday.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
A previously unreleased song is one of many ways Prince is being honored a decade after his death.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
A video game is helping people experience the Ojibwe culture in a new way.
At Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis, a new production is using the stage to explore the impact of immigration and displacement.
The Minnesota Twins were beaten by the Rays 6-2 on Friday night in the first game of the series. Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda each hit two home runs for Tampa Bay.
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.
A bill to ban most bets on prediction markets is ready for a Minnesota Senate floor vote just days after a lawmaker sparked controversy by putting money on his own primary race for Congress.
The Minnesota Vikings took a big swing in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, selecting the uber-athletic but injury-plagued defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of Florida.
Jaden McDaniels and the Minnesota Timberwolves flexed even more of their defensive muscle against the flagging Denver Nuggets and seized a 2-1 lead in the first-round NBA playoff series with a dominant 113-96 victory.
From the controversies to the name-calling to bathhouse proposals to perhaps not renewing Police Chief Brian O'Hara's contract, it seems the Minneapolis City Council is always giving us something to talk about.
From the controversies to the name-calling to bathhouse proposals to perhaps not renewing Police Chief Brian O'Hara's contract, it seems the Minneapolis City Council is always giving us something to talk about.
Both the DFL and GOP nominating conventions are the last weekend in May 7, and voting for the Aug. 11 primary begins in June.
Minnesota's hospitals are facing a growing financial crisis amid higher costs, fewer insured patients, shuttering clinics and federal Medicaid cuts.
Minnesota's hospitals are facing a growing financial crisis amid higher costs, fewer insured patients, shuttering clinics and federal Medicaid cuts.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
It's one of the largest musky hatcheries in the entire world. John Lauritsen shows us how the Spooner hatchery keeps fish healthy and anglers happy.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins is almost here. And across town, the St. Paul Saints are getting ready for their season, too, with some added history.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
The pet insurance industry is relatively new, and experts say that's partly why there's a low number of policies, but it is growing.
The popular afternoon pick-me-up in a cup is like a super food, supplement and medicine cure-all.
One of the biggest obstacles to exercising can be finding enough time to work out. WCCO explores whether upping the intensity can give someone the same benefits in a shorter amount of time.
Filing your taxes can be stressful. But daydreaming about how to spend that refund makes it worthwhile.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
Clouds will cover the Twin Cities on Saturday before rain moves into Minnesota on Sunday night, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Flooding at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Lake County, Minnesota, has made some trails in the area inaccessible.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer says Saturday will be mostly cloudy with high temperatures between the high 50s and low 60s across much of Minnesota.
Clouds will increase Friday night as we fall back to the mid-40s.
Clouds will cover the Twin Cities on Saturday before rain moves into Minnesota on Sunday night, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
A spring tradition featuring tulips continues at a popular home in the East Isles neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings legend Jeff Siemon was known for his toughness on the field and for his compassion in the life he led after football. Mike Max has his story in this edition of Home Team.
After 80 years, a war hero is finally back home. U.S. Army Captain Willibald “Bill” Bianchi, a Bataan Death March survivor and Medal of Honor recipient, returned to Minnesota on Friday. Ubah Ali was there for this long-awaited homecoming and dignified return.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer says Saturday will be mostly cloudy with high temperatures between the high 50s and low 60s across much of Minnesota.