The Minnesota Wild are in a funk right now.
They’re 3-10-3 in their last 16 games, three points back of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference and just put key blueliner Jonas Brodin on IR with a broken foot.
So, clearly, the team and head coach Mike Yeo are hoping for better times ahead, and Yeo hopes they begin tonight when the Wild kick off a three-game homestand with a date against Central Division rivals Dallas.
Yeo: "A little home cooking could be really nice for us." #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 8, 2016
Yeo: "Certainly our fan base is a little restless right now. They expect more of us, and they deserve more from us." #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 8, 2016
It’s interesting that Yeo’s addressing the Xcel faithful, while also acknowledging fans are irked by the team’s recent play. The timing of these remarks comes with the Wild boasting a good record at home (14-8-3) but having really struggled on the road -- Minnesota has just nine away wins this year, the fewest among all Central teams.
Of course, there could be other reasons Yeo’s trying to get fans pumped for the upcoming home swing.
The next three games at Xcel are of the measuring stick variety. Dallas currently sits third overall in the NHL and boasts the league’s highest scoring offense (the Stars have also beat the Wild three out of four times this season already).
After the Dallas game, there’s another big one -- the NHL’s top team, Washington, comes to town on Thursday.
After the Caps game, Boston -- 7-2-1 in its last 10 -- takes on the Wild in a Saturday matinee.