The Minnesota Wild’s special teams have been far from special lately, drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. After a strong start to the season, both the power play and penalty kill have regressed, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads as to what has caused the sudden dip in performance.
The Wild’s power play, which was clicking at a respectable 24.5% efficiency rate through the first month of the season, has sputtered in recent games. Over the last five games, the unit has converted on just 10% of its opportunities, a concerning downturn. This drop has not only cost the team valuable scoring chances but also put additional pressure on an already-stretched five-on-five game.
Head coach Dean Evason acknowledged the struggles, attributing part of the issue to missed execution and a lack of consistency. “We have the right pieces in place, but right now it just feels like we’re missing that final connection,” Evason said after a recent loss. The Wild have several skilled players on the power play, including Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, but it has been difficult to find a rhythm.
Similarly, the penalty kill, which had been a strength for the Wild in previous seasons, has been underwhelming. The team ranks 18th in the league, with a penalty kill percentage hovering around 78%. While it’s still better than some, it’s a far cry from the top-tier PK that Minnesota has built its identity around in recent years. Opponents have been able to set up shop in the Wild’s zone more often than they’d like, and some key defensive players, such as Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, have been unable to prevent dangerous chances from developing.
The inconsistency on special teams has put even more pressure on the Wild’s five-on-five play, which has been relatively solid but cannot make up for the team’s inability to capitalize on power plays or suppress goals while down a man. This has translated to some frustrating losses, especially against division rivals, where special teams often play a decisive role.
With the season nearing its midpoint, the Wild’s special teams’ woes are becoming harder to ignore. If they are to be serious contenders, especially in the highly competitive Central Division, they will need to correct these issues quickly. A renewed focus on fundamentals and execution in practice may be the key to getting both the power play and penalty kill back to their usual standard.