News - Ducks and Wild Prepare for Playoff Matches

The Anaheim Ducks, celebrating their first playoff berth in eight years thanks to the San Jose Sharks' victory over the Nashville Predators, must refocus for their upcoming game against the Minnesota Wild. With a record of 42-32-6 and a total of 90 points, the Ducks are set to play two more regular-season games before diving into postseason play. The Minnesota Wild, with a record of 45-24-12 and 102 points, are already settled in the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference’s Central Division and are preparing for their playoff challenge against the Dallas Stars. For the Wild, their regular-season finale won't influence their playoff proceedings, but individual player performances could be crucial in shaping the final lineups for the playoffs. Coach John Hynes aims to assess his players' readiness and finalize the lineup for the forthcoming postseason. 'There's a lot at stake for some guys,' Hynes stated, emphasizing the importance of every player's effort. Veteran player Michael McCarron stressed the need for urgency, saying, 'We're trying to build something in our locker room to go win a Stanley Cup, and we've got to bring it every single night.' Anaheim's coach Joel Quenneville also plans to use the remaining matches as a platform to solidify his playoff roster, though he already recognizes the significance of key players like forward Cutter Gauthier, who has achieved a remarkable 40 goals this season. Gauthier, while proud of his achievements, stated: 'I'm playing hockey to win games and eventually win a Stanley Cup.' The teams face interesting decisions regarding goaltending. The Wild may start either Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt, each bringing strong stats and prior success against Anaheim. The Ducks have the options of Lukas Dostal and Ville Husso, with Husso notably having a strong track record against Minnesota. As both teams prepare for their respective playoff journeys, these final games could be instrumental in defining player roles and team dynamics, setting the stage for exciting playoff action. -Field Level Media