The Minnesota Wild are gearing up for the playoffs with a roster more intact than usual, despite a season plagued by injuries. Defensemen Jon Merrill and Declan Chisholm have been healthy scratches recently, a decision that coach John Hynes acknowledges is tough but necessary for team depth. With Jake Middleton back and rookie Zeev Buium making history with his playoff debut, Hynes emphasizes the importance of having multiple capable defensemen for a successful playoff run.

During the regular season, players like Devin Shore provided depth but faced competition as injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returned. Hynes believes that a well-rested team coming off a grind of a March can strike the right balance heading into their first playoff game against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Wild have qualified for the playoffs for the 14th time, reflecting a determined effort to navigate both injury challenges and a competitive postseason.