If the pattern holds true, the Minnesota Wild will defeat the Boston Bruins tonight in St. Paul.
Unfortunately, the Wild will suffer a tough loss Saturday versus Nashville.
Because since Nov. 20, this has been the pattern:
That’s a span of 12 games without back-to-back victories. And while some may see a positive in the fact they haven’t had back-to-back defeats, treading water doesn’t earn you a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
True, in terms of overall winning percentage, Minnesota’s 16-12-1 record actually ranks eighth in the conference, better than Calgary and Los Angeles, despite trailing those teams in the standings. The Wild have only played 29 games, while the Flames have played 33 and the Kings 32.
Oh, and the Wild also had a tough call go against them in last night’s loss to the Blackhawks.
Still, at some point they’ll need to stop treading water, get out of the pool and go on a run.
“You just have to find a way to be better so it’s not going to be about one call or one bounce,” goalie Niklas Backstrom said, per the Star Tribune. “Look at [the Blackhawks], they’re doing all the small things every night.
“That’s why they’re always on the top of the standings. It’s always a challenge to play against them. We want to measure and learn from them so next time we can be better.”