It's time to take the Minnesota Wild seriously.
Very seriously - they're 15-1-2 over their last 18 games.
The Wild are quietly one of the best teams in hockey, one of only three to not yet lose 10 games in regulation (Columbus and Washington are the others).
While Minnesota doesn't have a 16-game winning streak to show for its stellar first half, it ran off a franchise-best 12 victories in a row, and after 40 games is only three points behind the NHL-best Blue Jackets.
Minnesota also has the Western Conference's best goal differential - and it isn't close:
| Rank | Team | Goal Differential |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wild | +44 |
| 2 | Blackhawks | +17 |
| 3 | Sharks | +16 |
| 4 | Oilers | +6 |
| 5 | Ducks | +5 |
| 6 | Predators | +4 |
It's worth mentioning: Columbus owns the NHL's top goal differential, one better than Minnesota, at plus-45.
As of Friday morning, the Wild are second in the West to the Chicago Blackhawks, who have 59 points to Minnesota's 57, but the Wild have four games in hand. It's no longer a stretch to say it: The Wild are the best team in the West.
Eating up the Atlantic
A good portion of Minnesota's success can be chalked up to its dominance of the Eastern Conference, and the Atlantic Division in particular.
The Montreal Canadiens, the division's best team, were spanked by the Wild 7-1 on Thursday - Minnesota swept the season series with a combined goal differential of 11-3. Montreal can take solace, though, at least they managed to score a few goals against Devan Dubnyk and company, unlike the Boston Bruins, who were shut out in both meetings against the Wild.
Here's what Minny's done to the Atlantic, in order:
| Atlantic Opponent | Result |
|---|---|
| Maple Leafs | W 3-2 |
| Bruins | W 5-0 |
| Sabres | W 4-0 |
| Sabres | L 1-2 |
| Senators | W 2-1 |
| Bruins | W 1-0 |
| Maple Leafs | W 3-2 |
| Panthers | W 5-1 |
| Canadiens | W 4-2 |
| Canadiens | W 7-1 |
That's a 9-1 record against the Atlantic, outscoring the opposition 35-11, with three shutouts, all of them Dubnyk's.
After Thursday's 20-save performance, the 30-year-old 'tender now commands a sparkling .940 save percentage on the season to go along with a 1.17 goals-against average.
He's currently on another level.
Dubnyk is having a career year in is third season in the North Star State, and after Thursday night's contest, he currently leads the league in goals-against average, save percentage, and is tied for the lead in shutouts with five. He also sits second in wins with 22.
His turnaround since arriving in Minnesota is one of the best stories in hockey since January 2015.
The Wild are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, and if a team from the Atlantic represents the East in the Cup final, well, good luck.
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