from Sarah McLellan of the Star Tribune,

Having just rattled off five straight victories, the Wild was far from a footnote in the NHL when it set out on a franchise-record seven consecutive road games last month.

But after a solid 5-2 showing during the stretch, its profile is on the rise — especially since the team’s performance was rewarded with a hefty boost up the standings.

“We want to create as much separation as we can,” winger Zach Parise said.

The Wild bolstered its spot among league leaders by capping off its historic jaunt with a 3-2 win over the Blues in front of 16,735 Sunday at Enterprise Center, the team’s 10th victory in its past 12 games.

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from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

There never seems to be much open ice for the Blues when they play the Minnesota Wild. On Sunday, Blues center Ryan O’Reilly thought he knew why.

“I just think they’re veteran guys, they’re a team that’s been together for a long time,” O’Reilly said. “They clutch.”

And by ‘clutch’ O’Reilly didn’t mean the Wild were making key plays at critical times. (Although they did some of that.)

“They’re grabbing,” O’Reilly said. “Personally, I think there could have been some penalties on it, but with them, they’re smart and they know how to get away with it. They don’t force a lot. They just grab you and make it tough to get around. That’s what veteran teams know how to do.”

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