Are the Wild a legit Stanley Cup contender?

The Minnesota Wild have become an impressive storyline to follow this season.

The Wild are exceeding expectations through their first 25 games, sitting atop the Central Division with a 17-4-4 record. While their 7-3-1 record on home ice is stellar, perhaps what’s more impressive has been their ability to win games on the road, with a 10-1-3 record.

The Wild are currently on a four-game winning streak and have been getting the job done at even strength. It’s rare to see a first-place team rank 19th in power-play efficiency, and 26th in penalty killing. Minnesota has been led by star forward Kirill Kaprizov, who is tied for the league lead with 39 points heading into Wednesday’s action.

Filip Gustavsson has been leading the charge from the Wild’s crease, cementing himself as the team’s number-one goaltender. Among all NHL goalies with more than 10 appearances, Gustavsson ranks first in both goals-against average and save percentage.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk was joined by Steven Ellis, and they discussed the Wild’s start this season, and if they should be considered a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Yaremchuk: Our poll question is on the Minnesota Wild, they’re on a heater. Four wins in a row, 7-2-1 in their last 10, and it’s coupled with a four-game losing streak from the Winnipeg Jets.

Now, after the historic start by the Jets, they’re back in second place, looking up at a Minnesota Wild team, that again, 17-4-4 is just incredible. They have the best goals against per game in the NHL. Scorings in the top half of the league, and now when you start to look at their roster, maybe this isn’t just the Kirill Kaprizov show. Matt Boldy is putting up some really good numbers nearly a point-a-game, Marco Rossi is having a strong season, as well as the goaltending continues to hold strong.

So, let me ask you, is it time to start using the word ‘elite’ when talking about the Minnesota Wild?

Ellis: I learned at an early age, never trust the Minnesota Wild. Kind of like you don’t trust the Toronto Maple Leafs heading into the playoffs, right? I think with the Wild, the things that are working are you’re seeing Kaprizov with all those points, Boldy, yes is playing great and is a star in the NHL. Marco Rossi having the season he’s having is great to see, and again, really wanted him to click given all the struggles he went through with at a young age, missing basically an entire season with Covid.

Seeing Filip Gustavsson going out there and playing well. I still wouldn’t put them ahead of the Jets though. You see where all the points are coming from Winnipeg, and they don’t have a Kirill Kaprizov, they don’t have a guy that’s going to go out there and challenge for the scoring lead. But, they have Kyle Connor at 29 points, they have Mark Scheifele at 27, they have Nik Ehlers at 25, all three of those guys would be second on the Minnesota Wild in scoring.

So, I do think we need to see some offense shift a bit more, at a more consistent pace, we are starting to see a bit right now with the team, but for me, to feel fully confident, I need to see a team that can truly go out there and get offense from just about anyone. At the same time, I wouldn’t doubt Kaprizov could lead the team himself, he’s playing so good right now that I would not want to bet against them. But, if I had to pick between the two teams, I’m still going with the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck looks good, but they’re scoring from everywhere.

For more on the Wild’s strong start and what’s to come in Minnesota, and the very latest from around the NHL, watch the full episode below.