The countdown is on - the NHL enters the final three weeks of the 2022-23 regular season Monday. A total of 12 teams are in action, including the Kraken (40-24-8, 88 points) who visit the Wild (42-22-9, 93 points) on Hulu, ESPN+ and TVAS in what would be a first-round matchup if the playoffs were to start today.
* When Minnesota overtook first place in the Central Division at the conclusion of play on Saturday, it marked the first time the team sat atop their division since Dec. 28, 2021. The Wild have totaled 19 points in March (8-1-3), which trails only Vegas (22 points), Vancouver (20 points), Boston (20 points) and Los Angeles (20 points) for the most.
* Seattle, which sits in the first Wild Card position, is coming off its fifth seven-goal outing of 2022-23 - the Kraken's 253 goals for this season trails only the Oilers (286), Bruins (272), Sabres (257) and Devils (254) for the most among all teams. Vince Dunn (13-47-60 in 72 GP) leads the charge for the Kraken, making Seattle one of three clubs to have a blueliner pace the team in points in 2022-23 (also SJS: Erik Karlsson & NSH: Roman Josi).