Wildcats Fans Have Plenty of Reasons to Be Hopeful for Postseason Success – Hockey Writers –

The Minnesota Wild left Dallas tied 1-1 in the series after winning Game 1 and losing Game 2. They will now return home for the next two games, and will try to regain their lead in the series. To many fans it seems like the Wild are following the same pattern as previous seasons, however this season felt different to many involved.

During this season, or at least since the Wild made their big trade in December, this team has felt different and performed differently. They still reverted to old habits at times, but their playing was much better, and they had a lot more confidence. In this article, we’ll take a look at why fans have more hopes for success this postseason and why they should be more optimistic about starting scoring.

Wild’s Wallstedt Shines Bright

The Wild have relied on both of their forwards all season, and both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt are pushing each other to get better. Each had some sort of slump, and unfortunately for Gustavsson, that time was before a breakout season. He has struggled in his last few games, and the Wild decided to put their rookie in net, and it worked.

Gustavsson is still an absolutely capable goaltender, but in the postseason, they have to go with the hot hand, and that is Wallstedt. He looked amazing in Game 1, and even though the Wild lost Game 2, that was on everyone’s shoulders and not just Wallstedt’s. He was still playing in his head and kept them in the game as best he could.

Wild fans have high hopes this season after the season because the Wild have shown that they are willing to go with the hot hand in goals, rather than going the way they used to stick with veterans. Gustavsson is still a strong goalkeeper, and if they ever need to make a change, they can, but for now, Wallstedt is a guy to stick with, and he’s showing his worth.

Wild Hughes Brings Hope

One of the best decisions the Wild made during the offseason happened this past regular season when general manager Bill Guerin brought in Quinn Hughes. He made an immediate impact on the crowd and his team, who had a new change in their step when he arrived.

That swagger stuck, and though they hit bumps like all teams, they bounced back quickly. He brings energy to their program and so much talent that he makes his teammates want to get better, and they try to get better. Especially his defensive partner, Brock Faber, who has been on a new level this postseason.

The Wild fanbase didn’t fully believe Hughes was coming at first, until he showed up in Minnesota, and it became real. The Wild have solid players, but they’ve never matched Hughes, and he’s given them a new reason to be optimistic. Easily the biggest hope they’ve had in years, and most of it is because of him.

Wild’s Confidence Levels High

Ultimately, the Wild have a different level of confidence than before. In past postseasons, it was known that the Wild would not make it out of Round 1, as most people know that it has become a joke that they can enter the postseason but not make it past the first round. This season, however, feels different, and it’s easy to see the team feeling that way, too.

They have been a low team before, but they look like a better team, and they play with confidence. They have shown that they are not afraid of the Stars, and so far they have not backed down, even though they are behind in Game 2. Although they lost that game, it was not the lack of enthusiasm that happened before.

Time will tell in Game 3, but if they really have this new confidence, they will come out strong in response to the way the Stars did in Game 2. They know what to expect now, and they have the potential to get better because they have that confidence, which is why the fans have high hopes again. They see the confidence the team has, and it gives them hope that the Wild will come through and get the wins they need to get past the first round and hopefully beyond.