In the playoffs, it's best to have short memories. So, the disappointment of Thursday night should be put in the rearview mirror. But, at the same time, there are some important lessons for the Minnesota Wild to take and apply in Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche.
-Need to play more physical: The Wild were absolutely outhit in the first period of Game 1. They need to come out and play more physical. Not at the expense of playing their game, but don't go out there and just be the Avs' punching bag either.
-Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals: The Wild lost Game 1 because of mistakes made in the defensive zone, namely Brodziak and Spurgeon's costly defensive zone turnovers. Like we yell at our mite, squirt, pee wee, and bantam hockey players: get the puck out of the zone first, then make your "plays" in the neutral zone and/or the offensive zone.
-We can play with these guys: If the Wild learned nothing else, its that they can hang with and play with Colorado, notwithstanding their youthful legs and speed.
-Varlamov isn't so scary: Despite his reputation with the women and his stats in net during the regular season, Varlamov is NOT Patrick Roy in his prime. Varlamov is beatable, especially after the first shot on net. The Wild must, must, must crash the net with 2 guys. One on the puck and the other at the back door. The rebounds this guy gives up are mamoth and the Wild need to take full advantage of this weakness in his game.
-Yeo has to outcoach Roy: Whether the Wild's third period meltdown should be blamed on Yeo or the players, I don't know. But, what I do know is that Roy proved his mettle as a top level coach by pulling Varlamov with 3 minutes to go, giving his squad the time they needed to tie up Game 1. Yeo needs to get his guys to outplay Roy's guys. How he does it, I don't know. However, he must figure it out or the Wild will be limping home to the State of Hockey down 2 games to none. And, if what we read between the lines from Russo's columns and blogs is correct, Owner Craig Leipold will not be satisfied with another first round exit from his hockey club and it's leaders.
-Bryz, Bryz, Bryz, Bryz: He looked a little soft on some of the goals the Avs scored in Game 1. He has to be better and actually steal a game for the team in front of him. He looked very calm to begin the game. I just think he needs to do more. Maybe raise his level of compete. His backup, John Curry, when he started for the Wild against the Blues down the stretch to end the season, battled like an All-Star. I would love to see that kind of competitiveness from Bryzgalov.
-Learn from history: The Wild and the Avs have met twice in the post-season before this year. In 2003, the Wild surprised the Avs and stole Game 1 against a much better Colorado club. In 2008, the Wild lost in overtime in Game 1, but then won in OT in Game 2. The Wild won the series in 2003 and lost the series in 2008. In 2007 and 2013, the Wild met the Ducks and the Blackhawks in the post-season. They lost the first two games of the series and went on to lose both series, 4 games to 1. While winning one of the first two games in the playoffs doesn't guarantee you anything, the lesson learned is that you better win one of the first two games, if you are the Wild, to give your team a fighting chance.
I'm sure I have missed some things. Let me know your thoughts as far as lessons from Game 1 which should be applied to Game 2 for the Wild are.