A chilly outdoor spectacle and two overtime thrillers — it’s going to be hard to live up to the three regular season games between the Wild and the Blues, but the playoffs always deliver.
The two Central Division rivals square off in the first round, and both teams could not be hotter. Minnesota went 19-2-3 from March 16 through the end of the regular season, and St. Louis enjoyed a closing run of 14-1-2 from March 28 on. However, it was the Blues that won all three games during the regular season.
Two Russians headline the teams, as Kirill Kaprizov was even better in his sophomore season than his rookie year where he won the Calder. The Wild winger was one of eight players this season to hit 100 points, leading the team with 108. He had 47 goals and 61 assists playing on a line with Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello.
In St. Louis, Vladimir Tarasenko has done a complete 180. After an injury-riddled season last year, he requested a trade and was left available in the expansion draft. The two sides elected to go forward this season with Tarasenko on the team, and it surely has paid off. The forward recorded a career-high 82 points with 34 goals and 48 assists. He is looking to lead the Blues to another Stanley Cup after winning it all in 2019.
The Wild did not officially announce a Game 1 starter yet, but Marc-Andre Fleury appeared to be in the starter’s crease at practice on Monday. The Blues have also not said who the starter would be for Game 1 between Ville Husso and Jordan Binnington.
MORE: Wild vs. Blues first-round preview for 2022 NHL playoffs
Here’s everything you need to know about Wild vs. Blues, including a full schedule for the first-round series.
Wild vs. Blues Game 1 will air on ESPN. In Canada, the game will air on SN360 and CBC.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NHL playoff game live on Sling TV. With the Sling Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and TNT. NHL playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with Sling Orange, available for $35 per month, including $25 the first month for new subscribers.
Wild vs. Blues start time
Date: Monday, May 2
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 1 of the Wild vs. Blues series has puck drop set for around 9:30 p.m. ET onMonday, May 2. The game will be played at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
MORE: NHL playoff bracket 2022: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for postseason
Wild vs. Blues series schedule, TV Channels
Here is the complete schedule for the first-round series between the Wild vs. Blues. The series will open at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., for Games 1 and 2 before moving to Enterprise Center in St. Louis for Games 3 and 4.
Tim Kavanagh is a senior NHL editor for ESPN. He’s a native of upstate New York.
Coming into the 2021-22 NHL season, the Vegas Golden Knights were heralded as a top Stanley Cup contender. Their preseason point total over/under, per Caesars Sportsbook, was 105.5, higher than all but two teams. (The Colorado Avalanche were at 109.5, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were at an equal 105.5.) Three ESPN panelists picked the Golden Knights to win the Cup in our season predictions story. And all of that was before they made the franchise-altering trade to add Jack Eichel.
Of course, things didn’t go quite so well for the club once the puck hit the ice. Injuries have mounted — including captain Mark Stone being placed on long-term injured reserve — and heading into Wednesday’s game against the visiting Vancouver Canucks, the Golden Knights are one point behind the Dallas Stars for the second Western wild card, and have a 57{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} chance of a postseason berth, per FiveThirtyEight.
Beyond the game against Vancouver, there are 10 games remaining on the Knights’ schedule, including what could be a pivotal matchup against their fellow wild-card chasers, the Dallas Stars, on April 26. Overall, four out of those 10 opponents are currently in playoff position, and Vegas has a 12-7 record against them in previous contests this season.
Another factor for the Knights is that Dallas has more games remaining on its slate. Of the 13 tilts left for the Stars, six are against teams in playoff position, and Dallas has gone 14-11 against those 13 squads previously. And if it comes all the way down to a head-to-head tiebreaker, the Knights won the first two matchups in the season series (though regulation wins are higher in the order of tiebreakers, and the Knights currently have a 31-25 advantage there).
As we enter the final stretch of the 2021-22 regular season, it’s time to check in on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2022 NHL draft lottery.
Jump ahead: Current playoff matchups Today’s games Last night’s scores Expanded standings Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Boston Bruins M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning M2 New York Rangers vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Dallas Stars C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 St. Louis Blues P1 Calgary Flames vs. WC1 Nashville Predators P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Wednesday’s games
Note: All times Eastern. All out-of-market, non-TNT games available on ESPN+
Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals, 7:30 p.m. (TNT) Detroit Red Wings at Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 p.m. Seattle Kraken at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. Vancouver Canucks at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. (TNT)
Tuesday night’s scoreboard
Watch In the Crease on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.
Buffalo Sabres 4, Carolina Hurricanes 2 Ottawa Senators 6, Montreal Canadiens 3 Florida Panthers 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 6 (OT) New York Rangers 3, New Jersey Devils 1 Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2 Colorado Avalanche 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 Detroit Red Wings 5, Boston Bruins 3 Nashville Predators 6, Minnesota Wild 2 Dallas Stars 3, New York Islanders 2 Edmonton Oilers 2, San Jose Sharks 1 (OT)
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 104 Regulation wins: 36 Playoff position: A1 Games left: 12 Next game: vs. BUF (Friday) Playoff chances: 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 96 Regulation wins: 39 Playoff position: A2 Games left: 12 Next game: @ DAL (Thursday) Playoff chances: >99{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88 Regulation wins: 36 Playoff position: C3 Games left: 13 Next game: vs. SEA (Wednesday) Playoff chances: >99{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84 Regulation wins: 33 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 13 Next game: @ OTT (Thursday) Playoff chances: 91{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 83 Regulation wins: 26 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 13 Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday) Playoff chances: 84{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76 Regulation wins: 26 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 12 Next game: vs. DET (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: 17
Points: 59 Regulation wins: 15 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 12 Next game: vs. SEA (Thursday) Playoff chances: Tragic number: 1
Points: 49 Regulation wins: 16 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 12 Next game: vs. VAN (Thursday) Playoff chances: 0{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 91 Regulation wins: 36 Playoff position: P1 Games left: 13 Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday) Playoff chances: >99{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87 Regulation wins: 32 Playoff position: P2 Games left: 11 Next game: @ LA (Thursday) Playoff chances: 91{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 86 Regulation wins: 29 Playoff position: P3 Games left: 10 Next game: vs. EDM (Thursday) Playoff chances: 75{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 82 Regulation wins: 31 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 11 Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 57{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68 Regulation wins: 19 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 11 Next game: vs. CGY (Wednesday) Playoff chances: Tragic number: 7
Points: 67 Regulation wins: 20 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 13 Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday) Playoff chances: Tragic number: 10
Points: 50 Regulation wins: 19 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 13 Next game: @ STL (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 0{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tragic number: E
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team may move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here.
Wednesday night hockey on TNT is back again this 7 days for a further doubleheader of action. The Bruins journey to the point out of hockey to get on the Wild in the early sport on countrywide Television.
Afterwards in the night, the Lightning engage in for the initial time at Local weather Pledge Arena, as the Kraken host the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
A few out of the four groups are on the lookout toward the postseason, when the Kraken have stumbled in the franchise’s initially year in the NHL.
Here is anything you want to know ahead of the TNT game titles on Wednesday evening.
More: When is the NHL trade deadline? Day, time, information, rumors, major targets
Minnesota Wild vs. Boston Bruins
What time is Wild-Bruins?
The matchup amongst the Wild and Bruins is established for 7:30 p.m. ET. The puck must fall soon immediately after that.
The two golf equipment enter Wednesday’s matchup in a playoff position but wanting to move up in the standings.
The Wild are 7-10-2 because February and have received just four out of their previous 14 game titles. Just after a sensational get started to the period, the Wild are hanging on to a playoff spot, tied with Nashville for third in the Central Division, getting into the game towards the Bruins at 34-20-4. Minnesota is coming off a 6-2 reduction to the Predators on Sunday.
For Boston, the workforce has been playing catchup in the Atlantic Division all year extended. They have sat in the fourth location in the division for pretty some time this time, heading into Wednesday with a record of 36-18-5, but an 8-1-1 history in their last 10 video games has them in just hanging distance of passing the Maple Leafs.
Who leads every workforce in factors?
David Pastrnak is primary the way for the Bruins in the two points (60) and objectives (33). The Czech winger is on his way to averaging at the very least a issue per match for the fourth consecutive year, with his 60 points coming in 57 online games performed. Brad Marchand has 57 factors on the yr and he qualified prospects the staff in assists with 34.
Kirill Kaprizov is obtaining a sensational sophomore season in the NHL, developing off a Calder Trophy-caliber yr in 2021 with 73 details in 57 game titles this year, fantastic ample to put him a tie for sixth-most in the league as properly as the team direct. He is also initially on the Wild in objectives and helps with 30 and 43, respectively.
Seattle Kraken vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
What time is Kraken-Lightning?
The Kraken-Lightning sport is set to choose spot at 10 p.m. ET. subsequent the conclusion of the Wild-Bruins recreation.
It is two groups at absolutely distinct ends of the standings actively playing in the late game Wednesday.
Seattle has struggled in its inaugural season in the NHL, compiling a record of 18-37-6. The club has just two wins in its final 13 video games, a short while ago snapping a 4-sport skid with a 4-3 shootout get about the Montreal Canadiens. Only the Canadiens and Coyotes have a worst record so considerably this year than the Kraken.
In the meantime, the Lightning search like a group prepared to make a run at a three-peat. Tampa Bay is second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 38-15-6. The workforce is coming off a 2-1 acquire around the Canucks on Sunday, which stopped a 3-sport shedding streak.
Who prospects just about every team in factors?
Two of the few vibrant spots for the Kraken have been Jared McCann and Yanni Gourde. Both equally forwards enter Wednesday sharing the group direct in factors with 35. McCann’s 23 objectives is very first on the club even though Gourde’s 22 helps is the greatest on Seattle.
For Tampa Bay, Steven Stamkos has bounced again nicely following a down year past 12 months. He has 63 details in 58 games, paving the way for the Lightning this time in that group. His 27 plans also rank initially on the crew, though Victor Hedman is foremost the Lightning in helps with 43.
The coronavirus pandemic even now poses a threat, and will carry on to do so, but the professional medical field and infectious ailment authorities have uncovered a lot about the virus and its unfold. Equipment these as harmless vaccines and masking selections provide person defense.
That signifies sporting activities leagues will not shut down like they did 20 months in the past. But with every passing working day, it looks yet another activity or league is after once again being influenced by this pandemic, with postponements and infections. For example, 51 NFL players went on the COVID-19 reserve list Monday, like Kansas Town Chiefs star Travis Kelce.
In this article is the latest in COVID-19 news and disruptions in the sports planet:
Due to the increasing quantity of constructive COVID-19 instances all through the league, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association agreed to get started their Christmas split early.
The NHL programs to pause its season on Wednesday, two days prior to the originally scheduled holiday break from Dec. 24-26, the league confirmed Monday night time.
Monday night’s game involving the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild was performed as scheduled, but the other four online games on the docket experienced been postponed. Two games stay on Tuesday’s schedule — Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET) and Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET) — and equally are continue to a go, pending any more positive exams.
There were at first 10 online games slated for Tuesday, but some game titles in between Canadian and American teams were previously postponed for the reason that all cross-border online games had been put on pause.
The NHL and NHLPA agreed to postpone the five online games that had remained on Thursday’s agenda for the duration of consultations Monday evening. Players are established to report again to staff services on Dec. 26 and resume day by day testing. The NHL plan is established to resume on Dec. 27.
Earlier Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets were shut down since of a growing number of instances, and a pair of Tuesday games — New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona Coyotes at Seattle Kraken — were also termed off because of COVID troubles on the Devils and Kraken.
Louisville-Kentucky men’s basketball sport known as off
The Louisville men’s basketball match Wednesday at Kentucky is postponed, and the Cardinals have paused basketball functions because of “multiple optimistic COVID-19 checks in the system,” the school announced Monday.
Louisville is coming off an 82-72 loss at Western Kentucky in which it played with out setting up center Malik Williams, who was absent from the workforce. Although Louisville did not title Williams, a spokesman explained a player was not with the crew because of to COVID-19 protocols.
Usa Hockey declared Monday that an exhibition amongst the U.S. women’s hockey group and Canada has been canceled thanks to “fears all over COVID-19.”
The series, which Canada at the moment leads 4-2, was scheduled to select back again up in Canada immediately after the new 12 months.
Rafael Nadal tests constructive
Rafael Nadal mentioned Monday he examined optimistic for COVID-19 immediately after returning to Spain from an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi previous weekend.
The timing of the good take a look at most likely complicates Nadal’s programs for the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17. Nadal, 35, has performed pretty minor aggressive tennis considering that last year’s French Open due to the fact of many accidents and was making an attempt to ramp again up in time for the 1st Grand Slam occasion of the year.
According to many experiences, NBA groups can sign a person substitute player for each and every player that assessments positive for the virus involving now and Jan. 19. Organizations will be demanded to indicator at least a person substitution player in the function of two beneficial gamers.
Lineups across the league have been decimated by roster limitations more than the weekend.
Next a weekend of NBA stars testing positive for the virus, Golden State Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins – who received the COVID-19 vaccine soon after expressing much hesitancy – entered the wellness and security protocols.
NFL teams encounter tall job in that contains virus
As United states of america Now Sports activities columnist Jarrett Bell writes, “the NFL ought to brace for COVID-19 to wreak havoc on playoff ramifications right before, during and throughout the operate to Super Bowl 56 on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles.”
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield did not obvious protocol and will skip Monday night’s activity in opposition to the Raiders. Nick Mullens will get the start out.
But Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai was cleared and he will be available on Monday from the Vikings.
Two game titles will be played on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET: Washington vs. Philadelphia and Seattle vs. Los Angeles Rams.
Washington stated 6 coaches and a coaching intern would not be offered for the match against the Eagles.
