Brad Ratgen: A Wild Start to the Playoffs as Wild Lose in O.T. to the Hawks. A look back at Tuesday night's Wild game vs the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

How awesome was Suter to be able to play 41+ minutes last night and that was only the 2nd highest of his career!!!! Complete stud on the blue line for the Wild.

How awesome was Suter to be able to play 41+ minutes last night and that was only the 2nd highest of his career!!!! Complete stud on the blue line for the Wild.
- Brad Ratgen

Big kudos to the Wild for the way they played last night, especially Suter and Harding. But in all fairness do you think the Wild can keep this up and win a 7 game series, especially without Pommer and Heatley? Suter can't keep playing 35+ minutes per game, as good as he is he'll wear out and make mistakes towards the end of the game.

How awesome was Suter to be able to play 41+ minutes last night and that was only the 2nd highest of his career!!!! Complete stud on the blue line for the Wild.
- Brad Ratgen

Playing that much (31 mins in regulation) is not sustainable for a whole series, even for Suter. Even with Stoner injured for a little but, that ice time is crazy.

All in all, loved watching the game. That's what playoff hockey is all about! All three games were great to watch (switched to Blues/Kings during commercials).

How awesome was Suter to be able to play 41+ minutes last night and that was only the 2nd highest of his career!!!! Complete stud on the blue line for the Wild.
- Brad Ratgen

As pointed out Sutter can not sustain that over the next 3 or 4 gmes...great gme plan by the Wild that is what they will have to do everygme: disciplined defense, top notch net minding, get a bounce or 2 and oh it would help if Parise showed up.

Harding...superb performance to come in and take 36 shots and stone the hwks.

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.

The Wild did a good job of preventing any flow to the game (..zzz...) and scored as soft a goal as you'll see in the playoffs.

If you're this positive after that outcome, I'm pretty happy for you. Just imagine if Parise gets to play in game 2.

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.

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

Amen. If anything, I say let Suter take every shift. He gets enough rest between periods anyway.

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

41 minutes compared to his league-leading 27:16 average are not even close. He is a stud so I will not count him out but odds are that he wears down or starts to make a few mistakes.

Wild played a great road game last night. Inches from winning on Zucker's post. Game couldn've went either way but glad we bagged one after losing these white-knucklers last year.

I was extremely excited for Harding to play last night. He is my favorite goalie. Has been for quite some time now. It hasn't been very easy the last few years for him. I'll be wearing my Harding jersey with pride the days the Leafs don't play haha.

With game one out of the way, I think the Wild play a better game on Friday. They really need to refine their play overall. A lot of over pursuit issues, wasting energy, especially by Parise and Zucker. I thought Parise pretty much canceled himself out by over pursuing too often. Zucker looked fast but very very raw at times. Hell, if he calms down and buries just one of the dozen quality chances he has the Wild are going into Friday with a 1 - 0 lead. Brodziak has turned into just an oaf when he gets the puck, he had several grade A chances he completely botched. The 2 on 1 being one of them. Koivu has to be more of an offensive factor in this series. Too many mistakes with the puck last night. PP has to step up as well.

All in all I thought they played a good game. Harding was pheonominal for a guy that had'nt played an NHL minute since early February.edit. forgot he did fill for Baccks in the Edmonton game...

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

30+ in regulation is crazy man... And the playoffs are a whole new mother franker then the regular season. More hits coming down on the forecheck, ferocity in the corners, so on and so forth. But its cool, quicker series for chicago

So the hawks play awful for 20 mins let in a soft goal, while Harding stands on his head in the 2nd and 3rd while the wild probaly play the best game they vs a hawks team that wasn't playing close to as good as they can and the wild fans still think of the game as a positive?

And the 68 icings the wild took because they couldn't get out of the zone will catch up sooner or later

So the hawks play awful for 20 mins let in a soft goal, while Harding stands on his head in the 2nd and 3rd while the wild probaly play the best game they vs a hawks team that wasn't playing close to as good as they can and the wild fans still think of the game as a positive?
- Sober-Kaner

Yes, I'm sure it was the Hawks not playing well and had nothing to do with the Wild defense and goal tending shutting them down. But in case I'm wrong and you're right, how do you think Wild fans should approach the loss? I suppose the Wild just ought not show up for the rest of the series? Go be a gomer in the Chicago blogs....

While I'm not a Suter fan (anymore) he can play 30 minutes a night. He isn't very physical and is good at avoiding being hit alot so he doesnt take the physical wear and tear many dmen do. He's also used to the load. Now, if every game goes OT 40 minutes a night could be an issue, but IMO the Wild had their chance last night w/ an inspired effort being short handed. The Hawks won't come out flat again in this series and will end it in 5.

Yes, I'm sure it was the Hawks not playing well and had nothing to do with the Wild defense and goal tending shutting them down. But in case I'm wrong and you're right, how do you think Wild fans should approach the loss? I suppose the Wild just ought not show up for the rest of the series? Go be a gomer in the Chicago blogs....
- MnGump

you are just silly, what makes you think suter is going to be able to keep playing 30+ a night and not wear out, eventually the hard physicall play is going to wear on him, not saying he cant play it, but he is going to start making mistakes, it was a good game yes, but for the most part the wild just flipped the puck out their zone most of the night with no structured breakouts and sitting back on defense, once the hawks get their groove going and get in their zone, the wild will be on there heels most games, they need to figure something out on the offensive side of things, and my opinion harding should start the games even if backstrom is healthy, that was a great performance he put on last night, just dont be a salty fan when we give out our opinions

Harding has about a 92% lifetime save percentage over Chicago. Every game these two teams have played all year has been close. I felt that in this game each team tried to adopt the other's style. The Hawks looked like they were trying to play physical at times (40 hits?), and the Wild tried to get in a track meet at times. When the Hawks really started rolling all 4 lines like the Wild, I think the Wild just got run down in this one. Without Crawford standing on his head in the first, this could have gotten out of hand rather quickly for the Hawks. Well fought on both sides.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda.....With Pominville, Heatley, and backstrom playing this is a much harder game on the Hawks. Hawks came out flat and improved through the game. One of the keys the "experts" have said is MN has to have stellar goaltending. They got it last night, but can Harding keep it up and how long will Backstrom be out?

you are just silly, what makes you think suter is going to be able to keep playing 30+ a night and not wear out, eventually the hard physicall play is going to wear on him, not saying he cant play it, but he is going to start making mistakes, it was a good game yes, but for the most part the wild just flipped the puck out their zone most of the night with no structured breakouts and sitting back on defense, once the hawks get their groove going and get in their zone, the wild will be on there heels most games, they need to figure something out on the offensive side of things, and my opinion harding should start the games even if backstrom is healthy, that was a great performance he put on last night, just dont be a salty fan when we give out our opinions
- Hawkeyes

Amazing thing about the Hawks is that Oduya and Roszival were out more than Keith/Seabrook. Keith had a rather forgetable game overall. MN played strong defense, but as Hawk fans have seen, playing a goalie that long for extended periods of time does take it's production toll.

eventually the hard physicall play is going to wear on him, not saying he cant play it, but he is going to start making mistakes
- Hawkeyes

For example, not dropping back far enough to pick up a cutting Stalberg and having a puck chipped voer his head. Now, that could happen to any defenseman during any part of the game, but energy level cannot be ruled out, especially at the end of an overtime, in which he played 10 of 16:30 mins of the the overtime. Don't get me wrong. I think it benefitted the Hawks, which I'm happy for, but it's playoff hockey and that's a lot of minutes for any player.

Yes, I'm sure it was the Hawks not playing well and had nothing to do with the Wild defense and goal tending shutting them down. But in case I'm wrong and you're right, how do you think Wild fans should approach the loss? I suppose the Wild just ought not show up for the rest of the series? Go be a gomer in the Chicago blogs....
- MnGump

The hawks came out flat it had nothing to do with the wilds defense the hawks took themselves out of the first. That was proven true during the text if the game when 60% of the time the wild had to ice the puck to get out of trouble. Lets not forget had it not been for a blown call by the refs the hawks would have been up 1 and maybe no OT. Losing in OT is still losing. The wild gave it their best and fell short. In 7 game series the best team usually wins and clealy the blackhawks are the superior team and should win in 5 maybe 6. The whole Suter playing 31 mins a game is stupid he can do it sure but will it take its toll? If the series is fine in 5 it don't matter but if it went 7 it will impact him. And about the it only takes one game to steal away home ice arguement have you looked at the hawks record? Home or away it doesn't matter great teams find away to win

The hawks came out flat it had nothing to do with the wilds defense the hawks took themselves out of the first. That was proven true during the text if the game when 60% of the time the wild had to ice the puck to get out of trouble. Lets not forget had it not been for a blown call by the refs the hawks would have been up 1 and maybe no OT. Losing in OT is still losing. The wild gave it their best and fell short. In 7 game series the best team usually wins and clealy the blackhawks are the superior team and should win in 5 maybe 6. The whole Suter playing 31 mins a game is stupid he can do it sure but will it take its toll? If the series is fine in 5 it don't matter but if it went 7 it will impact him. And about the it only takes one game to steal away home ice arguement have you looked at the hawks record? Home or away it doesn't matter great teams find away to win
- Sober-Kaner

5 or 6? The Hawks clearly are the better team, but why if the Hawks are so superior and the Wild are just a team of luck and icing will it take them any more than 4 to win the series? LOL I'm sure Chicago will have at least one more or two more games where they will undoubtedly come out "flat". Wild fans can thank god for that!

Hawks fans have much to cheer about no doubt, but some of you are purely delusional when it comes to giving their opponents any of the credit for holding them to 1 goal in regulation and taking the game through almost a complete period of OT.

I'm also a bit puzzled by the fact that Hawks fans seem to be more worried about Suters TOI than Wild fans, and are so quick to discount Suters play along with his TOI. You seem to be so sure that Suter can't play those minutes when he's been doing it all season long. But hey, if it takes the focus off why the Hawks were held to one goal for almost 4 periods, more power to you. I'm sure there are plenty of excuses, because theres no way it had anything to do with the play of the Wild. Just bad play by Chicago. I don't think I've heard as many excuses from fans coming off a win as I have from Chicago fans. It's quite entertaining.

The hawks came out flat it had nothing to do with the wilds defense the hawks took themselves out of the first. That was proven true during the text if the game when 60% of the time the wild had to ice the puck to get out of trouble. Lets not forget had it not been for a blown call by the refs the hawks would have been up 1 and maybe no OT. Losing in OT is still losing. The wild gave it their best and fell short. In 7 game series the best team usually wins and clealy the blackhawks are the superior team and should win in 5 maybe 6. The whole Suter playing 31 mins a game is stupid he can do it sure but will it take its toll? If the series is fine in 5 it don't matter but if it went 7 it will impact him. And about the it only takes one game to steal away home ice arguement have you looked at the hawks record? Home or away it doesn't matter great teams find away to win
- Sober-Kaner

Ok breathe. You ok now?

Wild had 9 players make their play off debut. Not bad for a bunch of first timers.

Suter played a ton of minutes. He is the top D-man on the team. Yes he will be tired but it is the playoffs. He'll suck it up and perform as will the rest.

Good game last night, looking forward to Friday.

Ok breathe. You ok now?

Wild had 9 players make their play off debut. Not bad for a bunch of first timers.

Suter played a ton of minutes. He is the top D-man on the team. Yes he will be tired but it is the playoffs. He'll suck it up and perform as will the rest.

Good game last night, looking forward to Friday.
- Mersch

I've read through a lot of the Hawks blog, there are plenty of even keeled folks over there. But like all blogs there are plenty of homers like this guy who for whatever reason feel the need to reinforce how "good" his team really is and that any negative or bad play couldn't have possibly been attributed to anything positive the Wild players were doing... I guess some of them have a need to self validate their feelings and explain away why they didn't win more convincingly on their home ice. If it's not annoying, it's entertaining if nothing else.

I've read through a lot of the Hawks blog, there are plenty of even keeled folks over there. But like all blogs there are plenty of homers like this guy who for whatever reason feel the need to reinforce how "good" his team really is and that any negative or bad play couldn't have possibly been attributed to anything positive the Wild players were doing... I guess some of them have a need to self validate their feelings and explain away why they didn't win more convincingly on their home ice. If it's not annoying, it's entertaining if nothing else.
- MnGump

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.