Regardless of what previous Wild teams have done in the recent playoffs, this team is different. I find it funny to hear Wild fans complaining about the coaching or the lineup or the officiating all while forgetting that this team is in transition and the experience that they are gaining is far more important for the big picture.
That by no means is waving the white flag, but more of a perspective point of view. Remembering back to the beginning of the season and prior to that point there was talk that the Wild would be in the Central Division along with Nashville, Chicago and joining Columbus, Carolina, Florida, and defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay.
That of course was not the case and Dallas was the team that ended up in the Central and the Wild landed in the much easier West Division. Just ask Dallas fans about that?
So now that we have that talk out of the way let's focus on what the Wild need to do in order to solve Marc Andre Fleury and more importantly the Vegas team defense.
There is a lot of talk about how the Wild were successful during the regular season against Vegas and some of that rings true, however the playoffs are a far different story and require a more focused game plan.
The Wild need to step up their level of compete. Can they do that? Absolutely! Now can they sustain that high level for the full 60 minutes is a whole other question.
We witnessed games 1 and 2 where the Wild were playing right with Vegas for the most part. Then in Game three at home the Wild actually appeared to be the team in control until their third goal was disallowed and the wind was out of the sails and has not returned for any extended period.
So the Wild are not completely out of this series and there is a way that they could actually see this through to a seventh and deciding game. That all begins tonight where they must win to create another home game.
There will be some lineup changes tonight: (Lines according to The Athletic's Michael Russo)
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Foligno Kaprizov-Rask-Zuccarello Parise-Hartman-Fiala Bonino-Sturm-Bjugstad
Suter-Spurgeon Brodin-Dumba Cole-Addison
Talbot
It is believed that Soucy is hurt and that is why Addison is in the lineup.
Addison is obviously a key prospect for the Wild future and the obvious replacement if MAtt Dumba is exposed in the expansion draft or dealt prior to it. He has done everything to this point to deserve his shot.
Powerplay units look like this: Kaprizov-Eriksson Ek-Zuccarello-Fiala-Sprugeon Rask-Bonino-Hartman-Suter-Dumba
No Parise on either unit still.
It's always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!