Pierre-Marc Bouchard News

Making the playoffs for the first time in five years should count as progress. For the Minnesota Wild, that step forward wasn't firm enough.

There are two big-name coaches who could be available: former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is unemployed and Phoenix Coyotes coach Dave Tippett's contract expires June 30.

Minnesota center Matt Cullen, right, and Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter were both called for penalties in the third period as the Minnesota Wild played the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinal of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at United Center in Chicago on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

Andrew Shaw celebrates after his goal against the Wild, during the second period.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses "Russo's Rants" to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN radio and seen ... (more)

May 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford makes a save against Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center.

The eighth-seeded Minnesota Wild will try to build off their first playoff win in five years when they host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses "Russo's Rants" to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN radio and seen ... (more)

The Pittsburgh Penguins spoiled the New York Islanders' long-awaited home playoff game on Sunday.

Zach Parise scored for the Wild early in the third period, but Duncan Keith got one back for the Blackhawks with 2:46 left in regulation to force the second overtime in three games of this best-of-seven series.

Jason Zucker scored at 2:15 of overtime to give Minnesota a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, pulling the Wild within 2-1 in the Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Mike Yeo wanted more hatred, more physicality after two opening games against the Chicago Blackhawks that didn't resemble the typical hostile playoff series.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - NHL hockey was absent from Minnesota for seven years, and the upstart Wild stumbled through two rough seasons in their debut.

Minnesota Wild's Kyle Brodziak, center, checks with a team trainer and Pierre-Marc Bouchard looks on during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Friday, May 3, 2013.

May 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding after giving up a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center.

Matt Cullen signed a three-year deal with Minnesota in 2010 with the express desire of returning to his home state to accompany the Wild on their expected return to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses "Russo's Rants" to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN radio and seen ... (more)

Corey Crawford looks for the puck on a shot by the Wild's Kyle Brodziak during the second period of Game 1 After five years of playoff abstinence, the Wild on Tuesday night provided a reminder of how the Stanley Cup playoffs are to the NHL regular season as Imax is to earbuds.

Apr 30, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is defended by Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center.

Defenceman Ryan Suter, left, may win the Norris Trophy in just his first season with the Minnesota Wild.