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NHL: Top 3 disappointing teams who can still make playoffs

By Dave Stevenson

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Matt Duchene #95, Filip Forsberg #9 and Mattias Ekholm #14 after scoring the go-ahead goal against the St. Louis Blues during the final two minutes of the third period at Bridgestone Arena on February 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Matt Duchene #95, Filip Forsberg #9 and Mattias Ekholm #14 after scoring the go-ahead goal against the St. Louis Blues during the final two minutes of the third period at Bridgestone Arena on February 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Wild

If you look at underlying stats, the Minnesota Wild rank quite favorably in several categories. They have the 16th-best CF% (Corsi For percentage), 16th-best FF% (Fenwick For percentage), seventh-best 5v5 GF% (goals for percentage), and the fourth-best xGF% (expected goals for percentage).

Even if you look at more traditional stats, the Wild have scored the seventh-most 5v5 goals per hour (2.77). They’ve converted on 21.8% of their power plays, the eighth-best mark in the NHL. 15 of their skaters have at least 20 points. Only the Colorado Avalanche (16) have more.

Scoring hasn’t been an issue for the Wild. However, stopping teams from scoring has been a problem for them. And their blueline isn’t the issue, as their 1.92 expected goals against per hour at 5v5 is the lowest mark in the NHL.

Rather, it’s been their goaltending. Their .897% save percentage is the fourth-worst mark in the league. Furthermore, out of the 46 goalies with at least 1,200 5v5 minutes, Devan Dubnyk has the sixth-lowest GSAA (goals saved above average). A recent run by Alex Stalock has improved his numbers, but still, he has the 22nd-worst.

Despite the Wild’s goaltending woes, they’re still very much in the postseason conversation. They have points in seven of their last 10 games and are just one point out of the second wild-card spot, though the Predators have a game in hand over them. If Stalock can continue to play well, the Wild have a decent shot at making the playoffs. But they’ll need some help from other teams.

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