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Manageable schedule for the Wild sets up for a strong finish

Mike Yeo, Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley, Marek Zidlicky, Cal Clutterbuck, Devin Setoguchi

Minnesota Wild’s coach Mike Yeo, center, talks with Wild players, from left, Mikko Koivu, of Finland; Dany Heatley, of Germany; Marek Zidlicky, of the Czech Republic; Cal Clutterbuck and Devin Setoguchi during a time out in the first period of a preseason NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, in St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota won in overtime 4-3. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

AP

With the 2011-12 season rapidly approaching, the gang at PHT decided to take a look at all 30 NHL teams’ schedules. Each team’s highs and lows will be studied in detail to give you an idea of what the future might hold for each squad.

Note: Mileage figures via On the Forecheck’s “Super Schedule.”

Minnesota Wild schedule analysis

Total mileage: 42,860 (14th most miles in NHL, but least in Northwest Division)

Back-to-back games: 11

Toughest stretches

Neither of the Wild’s toughest stretches are anything that should sink the team this season. They have a compacted five game road trip between November 8-15; which includes a span when they’ll play four games in six nights. Then later in December, the Wild will indure a ten game stretch when they play eight games away from the Twin Cities. Three games in California and another game against Vancouver will challenge the Wild against some of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Easiest periods

The six game homestand in the middle of November should be a good opportunity for the Wild to earn some valuable points. Between November 17-28, they’ll play the likes of Colorado, St. Louis, Nashville, Edmonton, Calgary, and Tampa Bay at home. Even more appealing is the eight game stretch they have starting on March 4 and extending until March 22. They play a back-to-back against the Avalanche and travel to Phoenix before a five game homestand. On the homestand, they’ll test their worth against teams like the Flames (twice), Stars, Hurricanes, and Canucks. The Canucks are always a tough battle—but each and every other game within the span is winnable. It should help as the Wild come down the stretch looking for valuable points.

Overall outlook

The Minnesota Wild certainly have a manageable schedule this season. They travel significantly less than anyone else in the division and they only have 11 back-to-back situations to deal with over the course of the season. The toughest portions of their schedule happen in the first half—by the time they reach Christmas, the heaviest lifting will be behind them.

If the Wild can stay in the hunt for the first four or five months of the season, look for them to make a push down the stretch. They have a very manageable March that is filled with home games and may be able to ride the momentum through the end of the season.