I live in Duluth, and told a lot of people here that out of Detroit, Columbus and the Wild, the Wild were the one team I did not want to face. I see the Wild following a similar path that Chicago did. I think in the next few years, the Wild will be a powerhouse for years to come.
- ikeane

Hopefully.

It is all a process. The Hawks are a better team than the Wild right now on paper but better teams on paper have been beaten.

No matter how this series turns out, it is valuable experience for the Wild players.

I live in Duluth, and told a lot of people here that out of Detroit, Columbus and the Wild, the Wild were the one team I did not want to face. I see the Wild following a similar path that Chicago did. I think in the next few years, the Wild will be a powerhouse for years to come.
- ikeane

They're on their way, but have a long way to go to match up with how good the Hawks are. Hawks have been extremely impressive this season, that run to start the season was awe inspiring.

I don't for a second think the Wild are anywhere near as good as Chicago. But that doesn't mean I'm counting them out. It's going to be tough for them, they have a lot of green horns in Coyle, Zucker, Brodin along with veterans that have never played in the post season, Clutterbuck, Brodziak, Scandella, Stoner, Spurgeon. It's not exactly a recipe for an upset. But hey, the Wild are playing post season hockey, that's pretty much all I care about at this point. Sure I'd like to see them win a game or two minimum, but they aren't as good as Chicago WITH players like Pominville, Heatley and Backstrom, it's a hell of a long shot to hope they can win without them.

And that's why when dopes like Sober Kaner come in here in a condescending manner preaching and questioning why Wild fans are finding positivity in a loss, I get a little irritated, because what should Wild fans do? They came close and could have won last nights game, what's not to be positive about given the difference in these two teams regular season performances?

As pointed out Sutter can not sustain that over the next 3 or 4 gmes...
- bogiedoc

Actually, if they don't go to overtime, I think he can do it without much of a problem. The first four games are played over eight days and he has regularly been playing close to or over 30 minutes per game in the regular season - similar compression.

If this series got stretched to seven games, it would be a problem. Those last three are played in four days.

I will concede that the quality of opponent will make those minutes tougher than what he was used to seeing in the regular season.

I expect the Hwks come out flying Friday...for some reason they were lethargic and refused to take it to Harding early. Everything to the net.
- bogiedoc

I think they were just being cautious. Looking back, I have to give credit to the coaching staff and their players. I thought they would come out flying but they seemed to play more safe than anything. Then they built momentum over time and just took over. By the third period and overtime they looked like a team that knew exactly how safe they had to play and it was significantly less than what they started with. I too expect them to start much stronger on Friday.

Stop all this Suter can't sustain it over 7 games B.S..!!!!! He averaged 27:16 time on ice per game over 48 games, why wouldn't he be able to do 30+ minutes in 7 games AND continue to be rock solid? I get that everyone thinks it's superhuman to be able to do that, but that's why we paid him close to $100 million, because he already had a history of doing that. That's just Suter and how he rolls. Let's move on to discuss other aspects of the game now that we have cleared the Suter issue up.
- Brad Ratgen

Hawks fans have seen this movie before. His name is Keith, Duncan. Played 30 min/night for several years before this year, even won a Norris. It might not show in his play now...chances are it will wear on him eventually.

Hawks fans have seen this movie before. His name is Keith, Duncan. Played 30 min/night for several years before this year, even won a Norris. It might not show in his play now...chances are it will wear on him eventually.
- Ogilthorpe2

A huge advantage for Chicago. If you look at the TOI for the Hawks, very even throughout the line up. Wilds TOI are all over the place. Granted Stoner only played 8 min due to injury.

Stop all this Suter can't sustain it over 7 games B.S..!!!!! He averaged 27:16 time on ice per game over 48 games, why wouldn't he be able to do 30+ minutes in 7 games AND continue to be rock solid? I get that everyone thinks it's superhuman to be able to do that, but that's why we paid him close to $100 million, because he already had a history of doing that. That's just Suter and how he rolls. Let's move on to discuss other aspects of the game now that we have cleared the Suter issue up.
- Brad Ratgen

Because Sutter didn't play 48 games against the Hawks did he?

30 minutes against Glencross, Hudler, and Stempniak is very different from 30 minutes against Kane, Toews and Hossa.

Because Sutter didn't play 48 games against the Hawks did he?

30 minutes against Glencross, Hudler, and Stempniak is very different from 30 minutes against Kane, Toews and Hossa.
- Tweek

Blah, blah, blah. He did it in Nashville too against you guys, St Louis and Detroit. In the Olympics, he does it against Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, etc. Bring it.. Suter can handle it. End of story.

Blah, blah, blah. He did it in Nashville too against you guys, St Louis and Detroit. In the Olympics, he does it against Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, etc. Bring it.. Suter can handle it. End of story.
- Brad Ratgen

Ok, I hope they run him ragged...as the series (and years) go buy, it can only help the Hawks.

To all those who are worried about whether Suter can maintain this superman pace he is on, HE CAN. As a Preds fans, I have seen him (and Weber) put up major minutes over long periods of time on a team that had 1/2 the offense the Wild have. However, I don't think the concern is if he can handle it now. The question is whether he is going to have to do 28 minutes a game year over year. If he is, then the tail end of his contract becomes worrisome if he starts to show wear and tear into his 30's.

Ok, I hope they run him ragged...as the series (and years) go buy, it can only help the Hawks.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm okay with the way they've used him for this condensed season, and so far in the playoffs, but you're right - he's going to be rundown and useless to this team if they continue to ride him as hard as they have been. Fletcher and Leipold need to protect their investments and prolong their careers for as long as possible. The fact that our 4-6 d-men cannot be relied upon, is downright shameful.

However, I don't think the concern is if he can handle it now. The question is whether he is going to have to do 28 minutes a game year over year. If he is, then the tail end of his contract becomes worrisome if he starts to show wear and tear into his 30's.
- dgutzman

Agreed. The long term effects of playing that much should be a concern. Especially if they are planning to be a perennial playoff contender.

I'm okay with the way they've used him for this condensed season, and so far in the playoffs, but you're right - he's going to be rundown and useless to this team if they continue to ride him as hard as they have been. Fletcher and Leipold need to protect their investments and prolong their careers for as long as possible. The fact that our 4-6 d-men cannot be relied upon, is downright shameful.
- SotaPopinski

I thought Spurgeon and Scandella played well. Gilbert still looking like a completely worthless player. I know he hasn't always played this bad, kind of wonder what happened to this guys game. I literally cringe every time he touches the puck. He's another one I can't figure out why Yeo has on the PP. If he's not an amnisty buy out after this season I'll be shocked.

I thought Spurgeon and Scandella played well. Gilbert still looking like a completely worthless player. I know he hasn't always played this bad, kind of wonder what happened to this guys game. I literally cringe every time he touches the puck. He's another one I can't figure out why Yeo has on the PP. If he's not an amnisty buy out after this season I'll be shocked.
- MnGump

He and Stoner pal around?

He and Stoner pal around?
- Brad Ratgen

Gilbert and Suter are buddies from their Badger days.

No Pominville at practice again this morning. I'm betting we won't see him again until next season. Even if he is feeling better, what's the point in putting him into the meat grinder of post season play where he could easily get pounded again reaggravating his concussion? We don't need another PMB on our hands with how much we gave up to get him. Not only that, but don't you think he'd be more of a liabilty on the ice? He'd be a sitting duck for the Hawks to target to try and get him rattled menatally.

Unless the Wild somehow manage to win this series, I don't think the risk/reward is beneficial enough, but I could maybe see putting him back in for the next, but other than that, why risk it?!.

- Predville

How's your teams playoff run coming along? Haven't heard much coverage. How's that Weber contract working out?