Two weeks ago the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers in a game seven, to advance to the Western Conference Final against the Nashville Predators. The Ducks had finally won a game seven, something they had failed to do under Boudreau, losing game 7 in each of the four seasons Boudreau had guided the Ducks to the postseason.

But finally this season with Randy Carlyle behind the Duck bench they were able to get over the game seven hurdle, so it must have been Boudreau all along.

Not so fast my friend.

The next opponent just happened to be the Nashville Predators, yes the same foe that had dealt Boudreau his final game seven defeat in Anaheim, and cost him his job.

So Carlyle being the answer and all, should absolutely be able to get the Ducks past the Predators because it was Boudreau's fault that they lost last year. So just pencil in the Ducks for the Stanley Cup Final, right?

Well, how did that play out?

Oh, another Duck loss at the hands of the Predators, this time in six games, not seven.

The moral to the story is the playoffs are a war of attrition. There are so many factors that go into winning Lord Stanley's chalice, and to point the finger at the guy behind the bench is an easy target, but not always the clear answer.

So congratulations to the Nashville Predators for winning the Western Conference Final.

And to those of us in the State of Hockey, we are glad to have Bruce Boudreau at the helm of the Wild ship. The Wild will be better prepared next season and the commitment to winning has only been taken a notch higher, with Owner Craig Leipold's comments after his team's early playoff exit.

It is an exciting time to be a Wild fan for sure. The team is strong, and their are excellent young players on their way. GM Chuck Fletcher has a lot of work to do, as the roster needs to be addressed immediately with contracts and deals heading into the expansion draft.

There is no way that Fletcher can sit on the sidelines and wait while his team loses a very valuable asset for nothing.

Leipold has made a bold statement that the team took a step backward in the playoffs. Not at all a ringing endorsement for his GM.

Fletcher has never been afraid to make a deal, but his next deal or deals will be his defining moment in Minnesota, that is for certain.

The clock is ticking.

Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17

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