Wild grab final playoff spot in West after Avalanche loss

Despite being shut out 3-0 by the San Jose Sharks earlier in the night, the Minnesota Wild grabbed the final playoff spot in the Western Conference as the Colorado Avalanche were eliminated after a 4-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

"Well we're in the playoffs and that's the number one thing," said head coach John Torchetti after the loss to the Sharks. The interim coach now has until Saturday to help his team find its form before its regular-season finale against the Calgary Flames.

Despite their recent struggles, the Wild have been a different team since the firing of former bench boss Mike Yeo, compiling a 15-10-1 record under Torchetti to save their season.

"The guys have done a great job, I'm proud of them," Torchetti continued, per Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune. "They could have folded when I got here, so I'm really proud of them."

"It's nice to get it out of the way and shift our focus," added goalie Devan Dubnyk, who has now lost three consecutive starts, allowing at least three goals in each start.

The Wild will await the Central Division champion in the first round of the playoffs, who will either be the St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, or Chicago Blackhawks.