The Minnesota Wild are the hottest team in the NHL and it’s not really close. On Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they will be hoping to claim their eighth consecutive win as they are suddenly creating enough distance between them and the rest of the Central Division to be fairly comfortable.
After Tuesday’s easy win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota is three points clear of the St. Louis Blues for the second divisional spot and have one less game played than their likely first-round opponent. While it by no means guarantees home ice advantage (yet) it is a far cry from when the Wild lost eight of 10 just earlier this year.