Brad Ratgen: David vs. Goliath. Does Minnesota Have Another Cinderella Run Awaiting? A look at the series match-up between the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let's not forget that this will be the 1st time in 22 years that teams from Minnesota and Chicago have met in the NHL playoffs. And, remember, back in 1991, the Hawks led the NHL with 106 points in the regular season and fell in the 1st round of the playoffs to the 8th seeded Minnesota North Stars in 6 games.

Not without Dino!

Bring it! I remember playing in that series

MN needs to go back to being called the North Stars. F Dallas.

I don't understand how big spenders like Minnesota can be considered "David"....

I am so pumped up for the playoffs, I don't even mind that we'll most likely be swept out of them!!
Who knows, maybe this team will shock everyone

Let's not forget that this will be the 1st time in 22 years that teams from Minnesota and Chicago have met in the NHL playoffs. And, remember, back in 1991, the Hawks led the NHL with 106 points in the regular season and fell in the 1st round of the playoffs to the 8th seeded Minnesota North Stars in 6 games.
- Brad Ratgen

the past has NOTHING to do with what is going on today!!!!
completely different game and different players

Everybody seems to think the Wild will be swept

I think the Wild will steal at least one game, if not two

I don't understand how big spenders like Minnesota can be considered "David"....
- Reveen

Really? You can't figure out how Chicago plays the role of Goliath and Minny the role of David? If all you can think about is contract/payroll size, then I guess so.... unfortunately that has nothing to do with this article, nor the difference in skill set between these 2 teams

I don't understand how big spenders like Minnesota can be considered "David"....
- Reveen

Agreed to an extent. Seeding wise the David v Goliath point makes sense.

I don't quite see how the argument that there's no pressure on the Wild at all holds weight though.

Pressure is on all of their top players, especially on Backstrom (old and pending-UFA who had a relatively pedestrian year statistically besides tying for wins) and the 100 million dollar men need to produce at an all-world level.

Everybody seems to think the Wild will be swept

I think the Wild will steal at least one game, if not two
- Traceur

One would ease the pain a little, 2 would make me proud. The D and goal tending on this team is not good enough to win a playoff series, plain and simple. Add on the ridiculous workload Backstrom shouldered this season, and I think he is going to have a tough playoff showing.

I guess the difference is that outsiders just see the big money to get Parise and Suter as the end while Minnesotan's all know that this was just a first step towards building a perennial playoff appearance team and, eventually, a Stanley Cup contender. The only pressure was to make the playoffs. The rest is gravy for this team. There is no pressure on our top players to do anything but play their game and get this whole team, especially the kids, some invaluable playoff experience. As far as being big spenders and still considered David, the Wild have struggled mightily and are the 2nd to last worst team in the playoff field (worst in the West). Chicago is not only tops in the league, but the President's Trophy winner as the top NHL team this year. This is classic David vs Goliath regardless of the amount of money spent to get 2 top tier players. As far as top players, the rest of the cupboard is pretty bare still here in Minnesota as the Wild are concerned (talking about the Wild, not their AHL personnel).

I guess the difference is that outsiders just see the big money to get Parise and Suter as the end while Minnesotan's all know that this was just a first step towards building a perennial playoff appearance team and, eventually, a Stanley Cup contender. The only pressure was to make the playoffs. The rest is gravy for this team. There is no pressure on our top players to do anything but play their game and get this whole team, especially the kids, some invaluable playoff experience. As far as being big spenders and still considered David, the Wild have struggled mightily and are the 2nd to last worst team in the playoff field (worst in the West). Chicago is not only tops in the league, but the President's Trophy winner as the top NHL team this year. This is classic David vs Goliath regardless of the amount of money spent to get 2 top tier players. As far as top players, the rest of the cupboard is pretty bare still here in Minnesota as the Wild are concerned (talking about the Wild, not their AHL personnel).
- Brad Ratgen

Talent wise the Wild can match the Hawks... I have no idea why the Wild underachieved, but they can hardly be considered David unless you look at strictly the standings.

It reminds me of Brian Burke calling Team USA the underdogs during the 2010 Olympics, when in fact they had been one of the top tier nations for almost 20 years prior.

Forwards

Parise, Koviu, Heatley, Pominville, Bouchard

Kane, Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland

Defense

Suter, Brodin, Gilbert, Stoner

Seabrook, Keith, Hjalmarsson, Leddy

Goaltending

Backstrom

Crawford

Let's not forget that this will be the 1st time in 22 years that teams from Minnesota and Chicago have met in the NHL playoffs. And, remember, back in 1991, the Hawks led the NHL with 106 points in the regular season and fell in the 1st round of the playoffs to the 8th seeded Minnesota North Stars in 6 games.
- Brad Ratgen

Thats what everyone around here is saying .

Don't forget 1991.

One of the biggest differences between the 1991 team and the 2013 Hawks though is that the current Captain and a bunch of his teammates have already won a Stanley Cup.

Im not sure the Wild will have the ability to "surprise" the Hawks since I don't think the Hawks are under estimating the Wild at all.

But thats why they play the games boys, should be fun.

Talent wise the Wild can match the Hawks... I have no idea why the Wild underachieved, but they can hardly be considered David unless you look at strictly the standings.

It reminds me of Brian Burke calling Team USA the underdogs during the 2010 Olympics, when in fact they had been one of the top tier nations for almost 20 years prior.

Forwards

Parise, Koviu, Heatley, Pominville, Bouchard

Kane, Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland

Defense

Suter, Brodin, Gilbert, Stoner

Seabrook, Keith, Hjalmarsson, Leddy

Goaltending

Backstrom

Crawford
- Reveen

Add- Shaw, Stalberg , Zeus and Bickell to the Hawks forward advantages , thats probably the difference in the series.

You are right about the D and the G . Crawford is not to be trusted until he can be trusted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBUec74RD-s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_oF8rosWzY

My picks:

Hawks in 4
Pens in 5
Mon in 7
Ana in 6
NYR in 7
SJ in 6
Bos in 7
LA in 6

Yours?

Looking at this series, it seems hopeless. The 8th seed and the match up nobody in their right mind wanted. Really difficult to explain how they let the 6 and 7 seeds slip away by losing to two of the worst teams in the West(Edm/Cal). But I guess this teams destiny was to make the playoffs regardless of how badly they played throughout the last month. No matter the outcome, I welcome playoff hockey back to Minne with open arms!

On a side note, I really think a lot of people misjudged the presence of Dany Heatley on this team. The Wild started their slide with the Heatley injury and really never recovered. Would like to have his playoff experience on the ice for this series. Rumor has it he's been skating and shooting. If the Wild were to somehow manage to get past this series, sounds like there is a chance he'd possibly be able to play in the second round...

Good luck Wild, you'll need all you can get!

Everybody seems to think the Wild will be swept

I think the Wild will steal at least one game, if not two
- Traceur

I have to agree with you. When the Hawks play north/south hockey they are unbeatable but way to often they try to make the pretty plays. When this happens you will see Kane try to stick handle through four defenders, You will also see the Hawks play along the boards with noone in front of the net. I expect the Hawks to have at least two games where they just wave their sticks to defend and try to be to pretty on the attack so I give the Wild two wins. Saying that, a bad bounce or bad penalty can swing the series to the Wild.

Go Hawks, but I expect a battle from the Wild

Talent wise the Wild can match the Hawks... I have no idea why the Wild underachieved, but they can hardly be considered David unless you look at strictly the standings.

It reminds me of Brian Burke calling Team USA the underdogs during the 2010 Olympics, when in fact they had been one of the top tier nations for almost 20 years prior.

Forwards

Parise, Koviu, Heatley, Pominville, Bouchard

Kane, Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland

Defense

Suter, Brodin, Gilbert, Stoner

Seabrook, Keith, Hjalmarsson, Leddy

Goaltending

Backstrom

Crawford
- Reveen

Heatley probably won't play in this series.

Heatley probably won't play in this series.
- Mersch

What about Pommer ?

What about Pommer ?
- mrpaulish

He's in as is an AHL defenseman we called up, Marco Scandella, who is playing in the 2nd defensive pairing tonight

When teams are as favoured as Chicago/Pittsburgh are this year, upsets happen. They always do.

He's in as is an AHL defenseman we called up, Marco Scandella, who is playing in the 2nd defensive pairing tonight
- Brad Ratgen

Now they're say Pommer is out for tonight's game. Clutterbuck moves back up and Konopka centers the 4th line

He's in as is an AHL defenseman we called up, Marco Scandella, who is playing in the 2nd defensive pairing tonight
- Brad Ratgen

Lol, I meant Pommenville. Just got news that he is out. Ouch.

He's in as is an AHL defenseman we called up, Marco Scandella, who is playing in the 2nd defensive pairing tonight
- Brad Ratgen

Nope, just heard on KFAN that Pominville is out. Not good.

EDIT, sorry, should have read down further