Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity:The Minnesota Wild Season Again in Doubt Response Required WildHBcommunity:The Minnesota Wild Season Again in Doubt Response Required

I think the X factor tonight is how much pressure the Wild feel to score early and if they don't do they drift away from their normal game and start taking chances? Same thing if Chicago scores early.

Getting away from their game in order to try to create more chances is what I think got them in trouble last game and it's something we've seen them do quite a bit at home this year.

They need to have a pretty strong focus on the game plan and stick to it tonight. It won't be easy with a restless, nervous crowd.

Out of any game the Hawks have played this post season, this is the game I am most nervous about. I anticipate a hard hitting, mentally/physically charged Wild team. We've seen a couple times how things can snowball, I'm hoping the Hawks bring it like they did game 2. Should be a great game to watch, let's get at it!

I'm just happy it is starting at a normal time!

I can't even begin to really predict what will happen tonight. But I'm excited

There's really only been one goalie that's stood out in stopping the Hawks in the playoffs the last 6-7 years... Mike Smith... And that was a depleted hawks team in 2012.

Good luck.

Honestly that whole chant the opposing goalies name thing is embarrassing. Wild crowd should have figured that out when they started chanting "Allen".... "Allen"... in the first few minutes of game 4 vs the Blues that saw 3 first period goals and the Wild eventually losing 6 to 1. Save the antics and energy for the Wild players.


Secondly, I disagree a little T in that you said the Wild had a lack luster contest in both games thus far. I honestly thought they played well for the 2nd two periods in game one. If Doobie Doobie Doo doesn't let that Teravainen softy in, that game may have ended differently.

I don't know if I'm necessarily glad Stewart is out, but I'm guessing a win tonight might spell the end of Stewarts short and forgettable career in a Wild sweater.

edit:

Honestly that whole chant the opposing goalies name thing is embarrassing. Wild crowd should have figured that out when they started chanting "Allen".... "Allen"... in the first few minutes of a game that the Wild eventually lost 6 to 1. Save the antics and energy for the Wild players.


Secondly, I disagree a little T in that you said the Wild had a lack luster contest in both games thus far. I honestly thought they played well for the 2nd two periods in game one. If Doobie Doobie Doo doesn't let that Teurvo softy in, that game may have ended differently.

I don't know if I'm necessarily glad Stewart is out, but I'm guessing a win tonight might spell the end of Stewarts short and forgettable career in a Wild sweater.
- MnGump

Agreed. Wild were comin in hot after tying the game, they definitely had the momentum going there way. That momentum would have carried into the 3rd had that goal not happened

Honestly that whole chant the opposing goalies name thing is embarrassing. Wild crowd should have figured that out when they started chanting "Allen".... "Allen"... in the first few minutes of game 3 vs the Blues that saw 3 first period goals and the Wild eventually losing 6 to 1. Save the antics and energy for the Wild players.


Secondly, I disagree a little T in that you said the Wild had a lack luster contest in both games thus far. I honestly thought they played well for the 2nd two periods in game one. If Doobie Doobie Doo doesn't let that Teravainen softy in, that game may have ended differently.

I don't know if I'm necessarily glad Stewart is out, but I'm guessing a win tonight might spell the end of Stewarts short and forgettable career in a Wild sweater.

edit:
- MnGump

I consider giving the chances and goals they did lack luster efforts given how easy it was to see this Wild squad had very little room for error should they finally beat the Blackhawks in a 7 game series. I loved that they fought back in during that 2nd period in game one BUT they certainly did not play the type of game where they controlled the play or limited the Blackhawks in game one or two. can't win that way and it was totally disappointing in my opinion.

I would like to comment about how refreshing this blog is compared to others (ahem, Nashville). Lots of respect from both sides here. The Hawks seem to have the edge now but I won't be surprised at all to see it tied going into game 5. I hope that's not the case. But I expected this series to be one of if not the best of the playoffs. if the Hawks have truly found their mojo, it's going to be a fun few upcoming weeks.

The first 10 minutes of the game are gonna be fast and furious. The Hawks need to weather the storm and not allow the Wild to get on the board.... If the Wild do score early, my money is on Parise.

I think the X factor tonight is how much pressure the Wild feel to score early and if they don't do they drift away from their normal game and start taking chances? Same thing if Chicago scores early.

Getting away from their game in order to try to create more chances is what I think got them in trouble last game and it's something we've seen them do quite a bit at home this year.

They need to have a pretty strong focus on the game plan and stick to it tonight. It won't be easy with a restless, nervous crowd.
- Chinaski

Absolutely not. I would rather the Wild lose from playing their game, rather than watching another 2 games like the last one.

Honestly that whole chant the opposing goalies name thing is embarrassing. Wild crowd should have figured that out when they started chanting "Allen".... "Allen"... in the first few minutes of game 4 vs the Blues that saw 3 first period goals and the Wild eventually losing 6 to 1. Save the antics and energy for the Wild players.
edit:
- MnGump

I was annoyed by it at first as well, but it is nice to hear the crowd getting so loud after all these years. Continuing to make the playoffs will hopefully change the stagnant/too polite crowd that has filled Xcel for too long now.

I think its comical the photo selection you felt a need to include

Enlighten us to your google search phrases for these image

For CapGeek fans it looks like a new contract/cap site was launched - General Fanager

Absolutely not. I would rather the Wild lose from playing their game, rather than watching another 2 games like the last one.
- SotaPopinski

I didn't mean they would do it consciously. I think they may do it subconsciously because of what is at stake. But I agree, they need to stick to their game to have the best chance.

Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity:The Minnesota Wild Season Again in Doubt Response Required
WildHBcommunity:The Minnesota Wild Season Again in Doubt Response Required
- Tony Dean

Excellent preview.

Keys to tonight IMO are:

1) Who can get the lead first. If the Wild manage to score first, that bodes well for them, gaining energy to build momentum from the home crowd. If the Hawks can keep it even or play with the lead, it could again force Minnesota out of its comfort zone.

2) Hawks ability to have the advantage at the dot is a big difference in this series so far. Both of these teams are good at puck possession, having it off the draw makes it that much easier.

For CapGeek fans it looks like a new contract/cap site was launched - General Fanager
- Chinaski

Thanks for posting.

Excellent preview.

Keys to tonight IMO are:

1) Who can get the lead first. If the Wild manage to score first, that bodes well for them, gaining energy to build momentum from the home crowd. If the Hawks can keep it even or play with the lead, it could again force Minnesota out of its comfort zone.

2) Hawks ability to have the advantage at the dot is a big difference in this series so far. Both of these teams are good at puck possession, having it off the draw makes it that much easier.
- MartiniMan

If wild score first I do believe they will have the edge...... But look how the Hawks can come back after being down.

This is just too hard to predict

Next two games on home ice are "must wins". Can't give the Hawks a chance to reach 3 games, once they do, Wild are done. No way they can do a repeat of the 03 playoffs and come back. Not against this team. Hope they pull it off

...and that's why Granlund will never live up to his high draft status.

I'm ready for the Pominville experiment to be over after this season. That guy couldn't hit water if he was falling out of a boat.

Crawford just getting stronger and stronger.

Crawford just getting stronger and stronger.
- MnGump

Crawford outplaying Dubnyk = big trouble for the Wild.

Crawford outplaying Dubnyk = big trouble for the Wild.
- MartiniMan

No doubt.