The Minnesota Wild re-claimed its identity in December

Minnesota was losing the puck possession battle through the first 22 games of the season. In a game that it's super important to suppress shots against because you don't want the puck to go into your net. The Wild had given up 67 more shot attempts against than it took prior to December.

All-in-all, Minnesota is trending in the right direction by focusing on their defensive structure and making it easier for their goalies to make saves. This in turn is leading to the Wild winning tough, close-score games. Whereas there were many things that plagued the Wild into December in past years, Minnesota is doing things that more closely resembles their identity. While it's not a guarantee that they will win the rest of the way here in December and finally avoid a December slump, if they play the way they have to start the month the rest of the way, Minnesota shouldn't need a miracle run to make the playoffs again this season.