CHICAGO -- On Thursday afternoon, the Wild made what is beginning to feel like an annual springtime pilgrimage to this city, closer to St. Paul than any other with an NHL team.
For a third straight year, they've ventured here for a playoff series against the mighty Blackhawks, this time hoping their trip yields better results. Chicago eliminated the Wild in the first round two years ago, and last year in the second.
The Wild have shown signs in the Devan Dubnyk era that they are an improved team, one that deserves to be grouped with the upper echelon of NHL teams -- a top-tier group that includes the Blackhawks.