Mikko Koivu, at 31, has played in 601 regular-season games over nine seasons, but he has been to the playoffs only three times and never has made it past the first round. As the Minnesota Wild captain prepares for the franchise's fifth Western Conference playoff appearance, starting Thursday night at Colorado, there's great pressure on Koivu to avenge a 4-1 playoff series loss to Chicago last season. Koivu failed to earn a point offensively and finished a minus-6 matched against Chicago's do-it-all center, Jonathan Toews. Koivu certainly wasn't the only Wild player to struggle, but as the team's captain, his struggles were the most pronounced. "When you're not able to (produce), obviously you get frustrated and disappointed," Koivu said. "You have to learn from that individually. You want to be better, and this is my chance for that."

Mikko Koivu did a bit of everything in Tuesday's shootout win over Boston. He recorded two assists and three takeaways, while winning 18 of 27 faceoffs. Koivu also scored the only goal in the shootout to give Minnesota the win and a playoff spot. The Wild captain has 53 points in 63 games this campaign.

Mikko Koivu scored a goal and registered an assist in Minnesota's 3-2 win over Los Angeles Monday night. Koivu is riding a six-game point streak and he has two goals with seven assists in those games. He now has 10 goals and 39 assists in 59 games this season. Zach Parise also had a strong game with a goal and an assist, while Matt Moulson also scored for the Wild.

Mikko Koivu recorded two assists in Minnesota's 3-1 win on Saturday. Koivu is riding a five-game point streak. He has nine goals and 47 points in 58 games this season. With the Wild in a heated battle for a Wild Card spot, Koivu should finish the regular season on a high note.

Mikko Koivu contributed two assists in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win against Detroit. He has racked up a goal and five helpers in his last four outings. Koivu has recorded only nine markers this season, but he has 43 points in 55 games.

Mikko Koivu ended a 13-game goalless drought in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Detroit. His power-play goal opened the scoring in the first period. Charlie Coyle had Minnesota's other marker on a penalty shot early into the third stanza to end his seven-game scoring slump.

Mikko Koivu compiled three assists in a 6-0 victory against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. He has five points, all of them assists, in eight games since returning from an ankle injury. Koivu passed Marian Gaborik for first place on the Wild's all-time point list with 438 in 588 contests. "It's a great feeling," said Koivu, who has spent his entire nine-year career with Minnesota. "I'm passing Gabby. He's a pretty good scorer, so I did something right." He has 40 points this season in 52 appearances.

Mikko Koivu is projected to play between Dany Heatley and Charlie Coyle in his return to action on Monday. That means that Mikael Granlund will retain his spot alongside Zach Parise for now. However, Koivu could still end up seeing time with Parise at some point down the line. "Very excited," said Koivu regarding his return. "It's been a long wait. Kinda frustrating all the time after the [Jan. 6] surgery. Very excited. Little bit nervous, but that's part of the step to take to the game. It'll be fun."

Mikko Koivu is expected to to return from his ankle injury in Monday's game against Calgary. He has been sidelined since Jan. 4 after he required surgery to repair a broken ankle. Koivu had a five-game scoring streak before he was hurt and he has 35 points in 44 games this season. Get him back in your lineup as soon as you can.

Mikko Koivu (ankle) might be back on Monday. Koivu wants to see how Sunday's practice goes before making up his mind. He has been sidelined for 17 straight games and hasn't played in roughly two months.