THE WILD WIRE - #25

Apr 9, 2019

IN NEED OF A WIN

With the winless streak now at eight games (0-7-1-0) and the Iowa Wild on the outside of the playoff picture for the first time since late October, the path to a playoff spot isn’t totally in the team’s control anymore.

With just three games left in the regular season, the onus is on the team to snap out of it tomorrow night in Grand Rapids. 

Here’s a snapshot of how things shape out, starting with the (currently) third place Milwaukee Admirals. Remember, the top four teams get in.

 

Team	Games Played	ROW	Points	Magic Number
Milwaukee Admirals	73	30	83	5
Manitoba Moose	73	35	81	6
Iowa Wild	73	30	81	7
Texas Stars	73	35	80	8
Rockford IceHogs	73	30	78	10
Team	Games Remaining
Iowa Wild	4/10 at GR	4/12 vs. CHI	4/13 vs. RFD
Manitoba Moose	4/12 at GR	4/13 at CHI	4/14 at CHI
Milwaukee Admirals	4/9 vs. RFD	4/13 vs. GR	4/14 at RFD
Texas Stars	4/10 vs. SA	4/12 at SA	4/13 vs. SA
Rockford IceHogs	4/9 at MIL	4/13 at IA	4/14 vs. MIL

Later tonight, Rockford plays Milwaukee. That game is massively important for both sides, as a Rockford loss all but eliminates them from a shot at the postseason. 

On Wednesday, keep your eye on the Texas and San Antonio tilt down in Cedar Park. Oh, and root like hell for the Rampage! Those two teams play each other the final three games of the season. Any success by the Stars keeps them right in the race; if they falter at all, Iowa can potentially keep them in the rear view mirror.

Here’s my take on how the Wild can still get in.

1. Beat the Griffins on Wednesday and improve to 83 points.
2. Get one more win over the weekend at home against either Chicago or Rockford and the club finishes with a franchise-record 85 points.
3. The Manitoba Moose earn three or fewer points over their final three games (they play a 3-in-3, all on the road), which would have them at 84 or less at season’s end.
4. The Texas Stars lose one of their three games vs. the Rampage, giving them 84 points.

The above scenarios don’t factor in the Admirals at all, but they’re in the driver’s seat now after dropping the Wild on Saturday night by a 5-1 score. They have 83 points with three games left, which has them in third place. I’ve kept Rockford out of this as well, since they have 78 points and can only get as high as 84 points by winning out.

Regardless, the bottom line is this: the Iowa Wild need a win.

HELP FROM UP ABOVE

Earlier today the Minnesota Wild sent Luke Kunin, Jordan Greenway and Ryan Donato to the Iowa Wild.  Everyone kind of assumed this move was coming, but its official now and the three players will meet the team in Grand Rapids and play against the Griffins on Wednesday.

Kunin and Greenway have already played in an Iowa uniform this season, while Donato played 18 AHL games in Providence earlier this year.

All three players should provide an immediate impact for a team that’s generated just 14 even-strength goals during their eight-game winless skid.

In their careers, the trio has combined for 59 points in 93 AHL games.

• Wild Joe Radio