The Minnesota Wild didn’t just beat the Colorado Avalanche last weekend-they made a statement. Taking down a divisional rival riding a double-digit win streak is always a big deal, but doing it in front of a home crowd, with the energy cranked up to playoff levels?
That’s the kind of win that echoes through a locker room. And it capped off a November where the Wild were, without question, one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
Let’s put it in perspective: the Wild closed out November with an 11-1-2 record. That’s not just a bounce-back-that’s a full-blown turnaround.
Just a few weeks ago, they were trying to shake off a sluggish October. Now?
They’re sitting in playoff position with a six-point cushion over the Chicago Blackhawks. By the time American Thanksgiving rolled around, Minnesota wasn’t just back-they were rolling.
Of course, Wild fans have seen this movie before. A slow start, a red-hot November, and then a season that finds its rhythm just in time to make a playoff push.
It’s almost become the team’s signature arc. And the numbers back it up.
Historically, November has been one of Minnesota’s strongest months-second-best in winning percentage, total wins, and point percentage, according to Statmuse. December and January usually hold steady, but it’s the spring months-especially March-where the dip tends to happen.
Even last season followed that familiar path. The Wild were flying high early in December, boasting the league’s best record.
But then came the injury to Kirill Kaprizov after Christmas, and things started to unravel. January was decent at 8-6-0, but February and March saw the team tread water at 10-10-2.
Injuries piled up, the fatigue of the post-4 Nations Tournament stretch set in, and the Wild’s momentum stalled. They still managed to claw their way into the playoffs with a 4-2-1 April, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a first-round exit-falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
So, the question now is: can this year’s team break the pattern?
There’s reason to believe they might. Start in net, where the Wild have arguably their best one-two punch in years.
Jesper Wallstedt has been lights out-6-0-0 with a .967 save percentage in November, earning him NHL Rookie of the Month honors. That’s elite territory, no matter how you slice it.
And Filip Gustavsson? He’s bounced back from a rocky October with a strong 5-1-2 record and a .923 save percentage in his last eight starts.
Goaltending is always a rollercoaster, but right now, Minnesota has two guys playing at a high level. That’s the kind of depth that can carry a team through the grind of the winter months.
It’s not just the goalies, either. This team looks like it’s growing into itself.
Veterans like Mats Zuccarello and Nico Sturm returning to the lineup has brought some much-needed stability, but the real intrigue lies with the youth movement. Danila Yurov and Zeev Buium are coming into their own, and their development is giving the Wild a more dynamic look than we’ve seen in recent years.
If there’s a concern, it’s the offense. The top-end talent is there-Matt Boldy and Kaprizov are still driving the bus-but the secondary scoring remains a bit of a question mark. If the Wild can get more production from their bottom-six forwards or swing a deal to add some scoring punch, they could level up from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
And then there’s the health factor. The Olympic break in February looms large, and the team will be hoping to avoid the post-break swoon that’s tripped them up before. The 4 Nations Tournament took its toll last season, and staying fresh through that stretch will be key if they want to maintain their pace.
For now, though, the Wild have done what they needed to do. They’ve banked points, climbed the standings, and reminded the league that when they’re clicking, they’re a tough out.
November was a statement. December and January will be the proving ground.
Minnesota’s seen this script before. But maybe-just maybe-this year’s ending will be different.