Wilderness Walk: Sour Grapes Edition

On the same night the #MNWild were booed off home ice, Zach Parise said the media is being too negative and teammates said all is fine.

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) April 6, 2016

This pretty much summed up the separate narratives going on from the Wild locker room and the collective media and fan base after the Wild learned that Colorado had gifted them the second wild card spot.  It left the fanbase feeling like the team resembled this all-too-familiar scene:

The coach stuck up for his team in an attempt to deflect some of the tough questions and angst being thrust upon them at a time when they should be celebrating.  Several leaders on the team made statements about how we (fans and media) should be celebrating.  Let's remember that they had just been booed off the ice - and this came at the end of yet another epic push to close out the season.  The Wild pushed hard to get into playoff position after being out of the picture and played fantastic hockey which resulted in a crescendo of play toward the latest game against Chicago, which put them 5 points up on the Avalanche.  The players and leaders who made questionable statements also acknowledged exactly what we've all been talking about over this losing streak, but didn't want to dwell in the wake of the happy news.  The players need to have confidence in order to play and win their games.  They need to know that their fans are behind them in order to maintain and grow that confidence.  So, it is understandable why they may have been put off with the tenor of the conversation surrounding their team

That being said, everyone involved knows what's at stake and has a pretty clear picture of where things lay.  Who knows, it could even end up firing the team up so they can avoid a sweep, we'll likely never know.  And though many are setting themselves to temper their expectations, there is still hockey to be played, which is better than hockey fans are feeling in Denver right now.

Kari Wahlen has done it again, and just nails how most of us are feeling.  We walk.

Wild News

Minnesota Wild fans want wins, not just postseason run
Minnesota fans support the Wild, but if you have to explain why you deserve a medal, you probably don’t deserve a medal.

Scoggins: All that's missing from Wild's playoff berth is excitement - StarTribune.com
The Wild did the most Wild thing ever Tuesday night. It was deliciously fitting for this current outfit, actually.

Postgame: Parise says 'you can't play the last four games the way we have' - StarTribune.com
Certainly a strange way to make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year (see bottom chart for opponent possibilities).

Wild's night at the X: Another loss, booed off ice, but playoff berth clinched - StarTribune.com
The Wild might have been the first team in NHL history booed off the ice by its home crowd on a night it clinched a playoff berth after losing 3-0 to San Jose.

PLAYOFFS? Wild back into wild card berth after shutout loss – Twin Cities
We're off to see the wizard!

Wild clinch playoff spot despite loss to Sharks - Article - TSN
Sad Trombone

Avalanche Clinch Playoffs For The Wild - Articles - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
On February 13th, the day Mike Yeo was fired, the Avalanche held a 6-point lead on the Wild, granted, with three more games played. Since that date, the Wild have gone 16-10-1, which is pretty solid, but not exactly the surface of the sun. The...

Perspective and Resiliency Make Devan Dubnyk Great
Many have said that the Wild's Devan Dubnyk is now back to being only an average goaltender. If you think so you maybe you need to take a closer look.

Tending The Fields

'Competition is great' Torchetti shakes up Wild lineup by scratching four - StarTribune.com
Game 81: Featuring the Iowa Wild!

Off The Trail

30 Thoughts: Concussion case will get worse before better - Sportsnet.ca
In this week's 30 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman looks at the recent NHL email dump and concussions, whether Joe Thornton thinks he can play until he's 40 years old, the future of injured Lightning captain Steven Stamkos and more.

Morning Skate: Bidding a fond farewell to NHL folk hero John Scott - SBNation.com
We may have seen the last of the All-Star Game sensation. And farewell to the 2015-16 Avalanche

John Scott can go home happy after possible NHL swan song - Sportsnet.ca
If Tuesday night’s game against the Florida Panthers was John Scott’s NHL swan song, he made the best of every second — even the ones he didn’t spend on the playing surface.

Derek Stepan Has Found His Scoring Touch
#OneOfUs