Sean Bergenheim has experienced some success in the playoffs, and he made it clear when he demanded a trade that he wanted to be sent to a postseason contender.
Now the Minnesota Wild just have to get there.
The newly acquired forward is expected to make his team debut as visiting Minnesota looks to avoid dropping a fourth straight meeting with the NHL-leading Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
Bergenheim became unhappy during his third season with Florida and had his trade wish granted Tuesday when he was sent to Minnesota (31-22-7) along with a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a third-rounder.
The nine-year veteran has eight goals and 10 assists in 39 games this season and hopes to have an increased role with Minnesota as it battles for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.
Bergenheim, who has 12 goals and five assists in 23 postseason games with Tampa Bay and Florida, said he was happy with the trade and believes the Wild are a serious playoff contender.
"I don't know what it is about the playoffs, but for some reason it suits my style," Bergenheim said.
Minnesota has improved its postseason chances by going 11-2-1 since the All-Star break, but it missed an opportunity to gain more ground with Tuesday's 2-1 home loss to conference-worst Edmonton.
Thomas Vanek scored for the Wild, who held a 34-19 shot advantage. Devan Dubnyk allowed both goals in the first period, with the last coming 32 seconds after Vanek tied it.
"We're going to lose again before the season ends. Unfortunately, (Tuesday) was a game that one not-good period cost us the game," forward Zach Parise said. "That's the reality. We'll be fine."
Coach Mike Yeo was confused as to why Minnesota lacked energy after playing so well lately.
"That's what we were trying to guard against, not being ready to go," Yeo said. "We lost the game in large part because of our start."
The Wild scored first against the Predators (41-13-7) on Dec. 20, but Mattias Ekholm scored in overtime and fellow defenseman Shea Weber had two assists in Nashville's 6-5 victory.
Colin Wilson had a goal and an assist and Pekka Rinne made 36 saves to lead the Predators to a 3-1 win Jan. 10.
Nashville improved to 8-1-1 in its last 10 with a 5-2 victory over Colorado on Tuesday as Rinne picked up his NHL-leading 35th win. Craig Smith scored and has five goals and two assists over his last six.
"I thought our guys worked extremely hard in the offensive zone," coach Peter Laviolette said. "We were looking, moving and skating. The cycle was going, the forecheck, the attempts, and the quality chances were there, so for me it was a strong (effort from our team)."
The Predators have won six straight at Bridgestone Arena and are a league-best 26-3-1 at home. Nashville is 6-1-1 in its last eight at home in the series, but the Wild have played well on the road recently, going 6-1-2 in their last nine.
Dubnyk, who made two starts for Nashville last season, has started each game since the break and has posted a 1.49 goals-against average.
Rinne is 8-2-1 with a 1.79 GAA in his last 11 against the Wild.
