Wild Finally Break First-Round Curse, Eye Bigger Targets

Minnesota has cleared a significant hurdle by winning a first-round series, and the organization is determined to use that breakthrough as a springboard for deeper playoff runs. The psychological weight of first-round exits has lifted, and now the Wild are looking to build on this momentum heading into the new season. How they capitalize on this progress will define whether this was a turning point or merely a one-year blip.