Jesper Wallstedt Withstands Comeback, Wild Beat Hurricanes

That's Wild

• Jesper Wallstedt led the Minnesota Wild with a strong performance in between the pipes and he prevented the Carolina Hurricanes from fully coming back to earn the shootout win for his team. Two goals in the third period to eventually tie the game and force overtime and then the shootout was thankfully not enough for the visitors to earn the full two points. [StarTribune]
• Before the game, injuries to key players had the Wild juggling lines to such a degree that rookie Danila Yurov was on the first line. [StarTribune]
• With those injuries, though, the Wild could suddenly have too many players on their roster once they start to get everyone back. Could we see some future trades or unfortunate demotions soon? [Pioneer Press]
• Well Yurov's spot is safe. The Russian center is passing his first test through the start of this Wild season. [Hockey Wilderness]

Off the trail...

• Which 16 teams will be in the playoffs when all 82 games have been played? It might be early but ESPN is projecting the playoff fortunes for all 32 teams. [ESPN]
• The neighbors to the north have locked in their captain for the next five years. [TheScore]
• Talks are "growing" that Artemi Panarin might just leave the NHL altogether and head back to the KHL this summer during his unrestricted free agency. That would be something. [RG]