Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity: Beating the Blues is Best Way to Begin Stanley Cup Run WildHBcommunity: Beating the Blues is Best Way to Begin Stanley Cup Run

Oshie isn't a Minne native, he moved to Warroad for high school. But he does seem to play with even more of an edge when facing the Wild. On to the matchup: I don't like the Blues as a first round opponent. To me they are on par with Anaheim as being the worst team for the Wild to face in round one. Playoff hockey is a different animal and they will make smaller players like Granlund and Zucker pay the price. They are healthy going in and have a chip on their shoulder after getting bounced last year by Chicago. I hope for a Nashville series because the Wild is deeper and matches up better man for man on the top 3 lines imo.

Oshie isn't a Minne native, he moved to Warroad for high school. But he does seem to play with even more of an edge when facing the Wild. On to the matchup: I don't like the Blues as a first round opponent. To me they are on par with Anaheim as being the worst team for the Wild to face in round one. Playoff hockey is a different animal and they will make smaller players like Granlund and Zucker pay the price. They are healthy going in and have a chip on their shoulder after getting bounced last year by Chicago. I hope for a Nashville series because the Wild is deeper and matches up better man for man on the top 3 lines imo.
- mnhockeyguy

Your right on Oshie. I amended it. Nice catch!

I was one of those fans that couldn't believe fletch took Yeo over Hitchcock. I don't think we had the players at the time (or now) to play Hitchcock's system. That being said he is a great coach that has overcome allot. I saw a documentary about him in his earlier years when he had a drinking and eating problem. The guy used to show up drunk to practice with a bag of burgers. He wasn't shy about it either his motto was " Drink hard, eat hard, play hard". Old time hockey rules!

It always surprises me to see Wild folks so anti-St. Louis. I think this is a one-sided rivalry; I don't know any Blues fans that have any sort of grudge against the Wild. As a Blues fan, I actually like the Wild, and the Preds too.

The Becoming Wild series is fantastic. I wish we'd get something similar in St. Louis.

It always surprises me to see Wild folks so anti-St. Louis. I think this is a one-sided rivalry; I don't know any Blues fans that have any sort of grudge against the Wild. As a Blues fan, I actually like the Wild, and the Preds too.

The Becoming Wild series is fantastic. I wish we'd get something similar in St. Louis.
- Rhuno[/quot

They dont like the Blues because of all the good players the Blues have with Minnesota ties.

It always surprises me to see Wild folks so anti-St. Louis. I think this is a one-sided rivalry; I don't know any Blues fans that have any sort of grudge against the Wild. As a Blues fan, I actually like the Wild, and the Preds too.

The Becoming Wild series is fantastic. I wish we'd get something similar in St. Louis.
- Rhuno

In truth I don't think anybody claims the wild as a rivalry

I prefer the Wild get the Blues in the first round. It is arguably their toughest matchup and I think that will put them in the proper mindset to try to make a run. I don't think any of their other potential opponents is an easy out but if there is any sort of perception that it is then I prefer they get the toughest matchup. Underestimating any team at this point is a big mistake.

Although, if they don't get the Blues, a Blues/Jets series would be a great playoff matchup for any hockey fan to watch.

In truth I don't think anybody claims the wild as a rivalry
- Tony Dean

I think the Jets do, and perhaps the Avs after last years playoffs...? But they are probably the only two.

In truth I don't think anybody claims the wild as a rivalry
- Tony Dean

Not yet. Seems the league tried to build a Chicago/Minnesota rivalry like the old Star/Hawks rivalry, but it's just not there.

The game is different, teams don't load up on goons, and while there are players people may not care for, there just isn't that level of hate in hockey anymore.

Chicago had a nice nasty rivalry with the Nucks, but that went by the wayside.

With Minny here to stay (in the playoffs), some team will soon emerge as a rival.

I would expect Saturday's game to have a chippy tone to it with the realization that these two teams could meet in a series later in the week.

The Blues don't have quite as much to play for on Saturday as Anaheim only needs to beat Arizona to clinch the 1st seed, but it should still be a good game.

If I were a Wild fan, I think I'd prefer the Predators in the first round. But from an outside perspective, a Blues/Minny series would be a real treat.

Good luck to the Wild - it's going to be a slog, but the team has a chance to do some serious damage.

The Blues don't have quite as much to play for on Saturday as Anaheim only needs to beat Arizona to clinch the 1st seed, but it should still be a good game.

If I were a Wild fan, I think I'd prefer the Predators in the first round. But from an outside perspective, a Blues/Minny series would be a real treat.

Good luck to the Wild - it's going to be a slog, but the team has a chance to do some serious damage.
- manchester33

Most Wild fans do hope for a Nashville opening round series.

I welcome anyone because I think this team can stack up against anyone in a 7 game series.

Can't wait for the playoffs baby!

I welcome anyone because I think this team can stack up against anyone in a 7 game series.

Can't wait for the playoffs baby!
- bmgarvert

I think we stack up as long as none of our players get killed. St. Louis is going to overpower us physically, but as long as pominville, granlund, ect. don't end up getting their heads bounced off of the ice, I think we stand a chance.

It's going to be a rollercoaster, that's for sure. We can hang with any team when we are playing well. It's the bad games that scare me.

Most Wild fans do hope for a Nashville opening round series.
- mnhockeyguy

I think Nashville right now is the safest match up, but honestly I agree with Chi, would really like to see the Blues in the first round. But I would also love to see Wini go up against the Blues as well.

St. Louis goal tending is a little suspect.

I think Nashville right now is the safest match up, but honestly I agree with Chi, would really like to see the Blues in the first round.

St.Louis goal tending is a little suspect.
- MnGump

As a Preds fan I would want the Predators in the first round as well. You guy's have the making to go all the way this year. You have added the right players to the mix at the trading deadline. Your goalie is confident and playing out of his mind. And rest in peace Mr. Suter and Mr. Parise as I'm sure they are watching over you.

I think we stack up as long as none of our players get killed. St. Louis is going to overpower us physically, but as long as pominville, granlund, ect. don't end up getting their heads bounced off of the ice, I think we stand a chance.

It's going to be a rollercoaster, that's for sure. We can hang with any team when we are playing well. It's the bad games that scare me.
- gypsypunk01

One thing I'll be interested to see is if the team we saw in the playoffs last year shows up this year against a team like St. Louis. The speed of that first round and the relentless pressure they put on forechecking was something we didn't see in the regular season.

St. Louis' defense is much better at neutralizing a good forecheck so I could see the Wild playing more cautious in that regard. But if the Wild can play fast they may be able to limit the physicality they are exposed to. And they will need to try to create some open space with speed. A long series on the wall against St. Louis is not going to be favorable.

As a Preds fan I would want the Predators in the first round as well. You guy's have the making to go all the way this year. You have added the right players to the mix at the trading deadline. Your goalie is confident and playing out of his mind. And rest in peace Mr. Suter and Mr. Parise as I'm sure they are watching over you.
- wrister

Yup, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the success or failures of any given season but it should not be forgotten that both Zach and Ryan lost their fathers only months apart. May they rest in peace.

One thing I'll be interested to see is if the team we saw in the playoffs last year shows up this year against a team like St. Louis. The speed of that first round and the relentless pressure they put on forechecking was something we didn't see in the regular season.

St. Louis' defense is much better at neutralizing a good forecheck so I could see the Wild playing more cautious in that regard. But if the Wild can play fast they may be able to limit the physicality they are exposed to. And they will need to try to create some open space with speed. A long series on the wall against St. Louis is not going to be favorable.
- Chinaski

Not to mention their defensive corps ability to put the puck in the net.

Not to mention their defensive corps ability to put the puck in the net.
- MnGump

I really don't like the matchup with the Tarasenko-Lehtera-Schwartz line. Tarasenko got a lot of chances in the middle of the ice the last couple times against the Wild. The Wild will have to contain that line and try to win the 3rd/4th line matchup.

Most Wild fans do hope for a Nashville opening round series.
- mnhockeyguy

The lineup to play Nashville is a long one

I welcome anyone because I think this team can stack up against anyone in a 7 game series.

Can't wait for the playoffs baby!
- bmgarvert

I agree both Minnie and the Blues could go all the way
The question is Cup confidence and do they have the swagger that teams that have won have

If they meet in Rd 1 the losing coach is not coming back next year

I agree both Minnie and the Blues could go all the way
The question is Cup confidence and do they have the swagger that teams that have won have

If they meet in Rd 1 the losing coach is not coming back next year
- Colbyboy

Hmmm... I'm just not sure on that. I know St.Louis is getting tired of their poor showing in the post season and you could be correct on Hitch. But I think in light of this seasons turn around for Yeo and the Wild that he will most likely be back next season regardless. He's a players coach and that may help in saving him. Never know though.

Wild ink Labbe to 3 year entry level deal.