The Wild remain on top of things for the moment, but it looks like the inevitable deflation is beginning. Injuries are starting to hit and they’re still getting grossly outshot (-70 shots at ES during December alone so far). Minny goalies still sport amazing save rates, but it remains a morbid waiting game to see when the floor will fall out from under them. Not to say Harding and BAckstrom aren’t rpetty good goalies – only that they aren’t .945 at ES good.

Minnesota is likely to make the playoffs this year by virtue of their hot start, much like Colorado did in 2009-10. Flames fans may be tempted to feel some envy towards this outcome, but the truth is it’s kind of good news: it just means a rival mediocre (or worse) club won’t be getting a high draft pick this June. Silver linings folks!