The Minnesota Wild are going home with a chance to advance in the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2015.

The 4 Nations Face-Off has already delivered an instant classic international hockey game with the fight-filled preliminary round matchup between the United States and Canada last week in Montreal.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin saw more than enough potential in Brock Faber’s rookie season to sign the defenseman to an eight-year, $68 million contract extension.

The NHL trade deadline is still three weeks away, and yet three of the top teams in the Western Conference have already made an addition.

Brock Nelson scored twice, Cal Clutterbuck had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat New Jersey 6-4, handing the first-place Devils just their second regulation loss in 21 games.

Vladimir Tarasenko had three goals in the third period to break open a tied game and series, and the St. Louis Blues pushed the Minnesota Wild to the edge of elimination with a 5-2 victory in Game 5.

Zdeno Chara is returning to the team where he started his career after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with the New York Islanders.

Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop has waived his no-movement clause to be exposed in the Seattle expansion draft after approaching the team with the idea.

Moving on from the past is the early theme of the NHL offseason.

The Minnesota Wild are buying out the contracts of veteran stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

Mattias Janmark notched his first career hat trick as the Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Minnesota Wild with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of their opening-round series.

Cam Talbot made 37 saves and the Minnesota Wild beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 despite having only 14 shots on goal to stave off elimination in their opening-round playoff series.

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Washington winger Tom Wilson separately questioned the NHL on a lack of clarity between clean and dirty hits. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Boston Bruins are resuming practice since having two games postponed resulting from five players being placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The team announced it will practice Wednesday night, a day before the Bruins are still scheduled to host the New York Islanders. The total is down from 15 on Tuesday, which was the most since 18 players were in the protocol on Feb. 17. The conference allowed a limited number of fans to attend the Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) is shown during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, in Glendale, Ariz. The NHL is embarking on a free agent period like never before in hockey history. Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Torey Krug and winger Taylor Hall headline a talented free agent class. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)It’s 24 hours into NHL free agency — do you know where your top free agents are? Even former Bruins defenseman Torey Krug inked his $45.5 million, seven-year deal with St. Louis on Friday night.