Wild vs. Blackhawks

Lore & Background

The Wild were founded on June 25, 1997, and began play in the 2000–01 season. The team was founded following the departure of the Minnesota North Stars, who were based in Minnesota from 1967 to 1993, when they relocated to Dallas, Texas, and became the Dallas Stars. The Wild made their first Stanley Cup playoffs appearance in 2003, making a surprise run to the Western Conference finals, but ultimately losing to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The team have appeared in the playoffs a total of 14 times, and have won one division championship, in 2008.

Reader's Guide

The Wild play at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. The team's first head coach was Jacques Lemaire. Notable early players included Marian Gaborik, who scored the first-ever goal for the Wild in their franchise debut on October 6, 2000. The team retired the number 1 jersey to honor all Minnesota fans.

Did You Know?

• The Wild were officially named on January 22, 1998, at Aldrich Arena in suburban Maplewood.
• The team's first-ever home game was on October 11, 2000, against the Philadelphia Flyers, ending in a 3–3 tie.
• The Wild became the first team in playoff history to win two seven-game series after facing elimination in game 5, doing so in 2003.