Regular Season Wrap-Up

As we gear up for the playoffs on Thursday, lets take a look back at the Wild finest individual and team moments from the 2013-14 regular season.

Team Record: 43-27-12, 98 Points (2nd best record in franchise history)
Standings: 4th in Central Division, 7th in Western Conference

3 Stars

3. Jason Pominville (82 GP, 30 G, 30 A)

The Wild took a gamble and signed Pominville to a five year extension just prior to the season opener this year, after just playing in 10 games for the team last year after being acquired at the trade deadline. Pominville rewarded the club by becoming the third player in team history, and first since 2007-08, to record 30 goals in a season. Another bonus for having Pominville this year, was how he managed to play in all 82 games while players in the top 6 had issues staying off the injured list.

2. Darcy Kuemper (26 GP, 12-8-4, 2.43 GAA, .915 SV%)

When Josh Harding had to leave the team in January and Niklas Backstrom was still having injury issues, Kuemper became the Wild's number one starter. He inherited a team that lost six in a row to end December and the Wild faithful were wondering if Mike Yeo would be employed the following day. Kuemper answered the call by going 6-2-1 with a 2.15 GAA and .932 save percentage in January to save Yeo and the Wild's season. Kuemper remained the Wild's number one netminder until he suffered an injury shortly following the team's acquisition of Ilya Bryzgalov and has not been heard from since.

1. Josh Harding (29 GP, 18-7-3, 1.65 GAA, .933 SV%)

Before Josh Harding left the team due to his illness in late December, he was a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate. From the beginning of the year, Harding had played brilliantly and was literally carrying the Wild to victories left and right. But as mentioned before, Harding's season was cut short and has not played since December 31st. Even in a season cut in half, Harding's performance was great enough to earn him the number one star for the season.

Top 5 Plays

5. Jason Pominville goal vs EDM (all around precision)

4. Nino Niederreiter goal vs NSH (sends the Wild into the break in style)

3. Josh Harding save vs PHI ("OOOOOOOO!"-Doc Emrick)

2. Zach Parise goal vs CGY (even Parise was stunned)

1. Ilya Bryzgalov save vs PIT (save of the year?)

Top 5 Games

5. April 5th vs Pittsburgh-Wild smash the Pens at home.
4. January 28th at Anaheim-Kuemper leads the Wild to huge road win.
3. December 5th vs Chicago-Scandella scores with 1:48 left to win it.
2. March 29th at Phoenix-Wild get three third period goals in huge road win.
1. April 8th vs Boston-Suter scores tying goal with 1:05 left. Wild win in SO.

To view all seven previous monthly wrap-up posts from the 2013-14 season, click here.


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