News Local Nation World Science Investigators Traffic Weather Obituaries Minnesota Topics Local North Metro West Metro South Metro East Metro Minneapolis St. Paul Your Voices Blogs Columns Minnesota Topics Sports Vikings / NFL Twins / MLB Wolves / NBA Wild / NHL Lynx / WNBA Gophers Preps Outdoors Golf Soccer Blogs Video Business Economy Your Money Top Workplaces Blogs Columns Business Finder Minnesota Topics Politics State Local National Hot Dish Blog Opinion Editorials Our Columnists Commentaries Cartoons Letters Lifestyle Taste Home Garden Travel Health Kids' Health Style Relationships Steals Blogs Columns Entertainment Movies Music Eat Drink Stage Arts TV Media Books Family Fun Celebs Comics Games Blogs vita.mn Video ') document.write('') document.write('') jQuery('.navTab' ad_AdvertiserArray.data adt .advertiserID).click(ad_AdvertiserArray.data adt function(eventObj) window.location.href http // hostEnv www.startribune.com/weekly ads/ dppAID eventObj.data.advertiserID ) jQuery('.navTabWa' ad_AdvertiserArray.data adt .advertiserID).click(ad_AdvertiserArray.data adt function(eventObj) window.location.href http // hostEnv www.startribune.com/weekly ads/ dppAID eventObj.data.advertiserID ) ') dppNavTab.start() ul > li > a > img margin left 4px > 25 comments resize text print buy reprints Tweet
The Wild squeaked into the playoffs two years ago and drew an undesirable dance card with the Chicago Blackhawks.
In terms of mismatches that one was Reagan vs. Mondale. The Blackhawks treated the Wild like a chew toy in coasting to a victory.
We didn t really have much a chance to be honest Zach Parise said.
The Wild earned a rematch in the second round last season and put up a better fight. The gap between the teams had narrowed some but the Wild still looked like the little brother trying to keep pace with an older sibling.
The Blackhawks sent the Wild home for the summer again.
We have to find a way to be better Wild coach Mike Yeo said.
Here s their chance and Yeo s team looks up to the task this time.
The Wild earned another crack at the Blackhawks after dispatching the Central Division champion St. Louis Blues in six games on Sunday.
The Wild closed out a playoff series at home for the first time in its existence with a commanding 4 1 victory that revealed all the reasons why the Wild is capable of a deep playoff run.
And why a third consecutive date with the Hawks no longer feels like the team is staring at a barrier it can t breach.
We ve come a long way since then Parise said after scoring two goals in the clincher. We like the way we re playing. We like how our guys have developed. We re happy to get another chance.
The Wild hardly resembles the outfit that got thoroughly dismissed by the Blackhawks in 2013. That postseason feels like forever ago in terms of the Wild s expectations firepower and overall confidence as a team.
The Wild is deeper faster more skilled and carries more playoff experience now.
And of course the main difference Devan Dubnyk the season saver who makes anything seem possible and gives the Wild a clear advantage in goal in this series as well.
Nobody is satisfied Yeo said.
The Blackhawks remain a hurdle the Wild has to clear in its growth process. The Hawks skill players put so much pressure on the opponent and they know how to find an extra gear when needed in the postseason. The Wild has to prove that it can rise to that level four times in a series.
The matchup looks like a beauty on paper. Both teams play at Mach speed. Players might need a nap and some oxygen between periods after zooming up and down the ice.
We feel good about our game Jason Pominville said and it s snowballed through the first round.
related content Complete Game 6 coverage on our Wild pageMonday April 27 2015
Wild Parise take it to Blues advance to play BlackhawksMonday April 27 2015
The Blues who scored only 14 goals in the series suffered their third consecutive first round exit.
Video Wild win it in 6 Blackhawks nextSunday April 26 2015
Wild 4 Blues 1 Zach Parise scored two goals to help the Wild eliminate the St. Louis Blues from...
Poll How will the Wild Chicago series turn outSunday April 26 2015
Goalie Devan Dubnyk gave the Wild an edge against the Blues stopping 66 of 68 shots in the final two games and will be key again vs. the Blackhawks.
Carlos Gonzalez cgonzalez startribune.com
More from Chip Scoggins Scoggins Wild's Yeo has smoothed a rocky season Scoggins With a chance to take control of series Wild loses it Scoggins Wild gets tougher the Blues are n Ott get related content delivered to your inbox ') manage my email subscriptions ') ul > li > a > img margin left 4px > 25 comments resize text print buy reprints TweetADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Most read Most Emailed Most Watched > Russo Third time the charm for Wild Raw video MSP airport shooting Minneapolis soldier surprises kids Bridgewater Vikings will welcome Peterson with open arms Wild fans react to big day in State of Hockey More VideoADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
question of the dayPoll How will the Wild Chicago series turn out
View resultsADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune localRecalling Minnesota history with Curt Brown
homePedaling America A cross country biking adventure
lifestyleNew Blog Rands on the Run
lifestyle2015 Minnesota Summer Camp Guide
lifestyleBest of Minnesota Food drink getaways design and more
localViking stadium construction cam
650 3rd Ave S. Suite 1300
Minneapolis MN 55488
(612) 673 4000
Company About the StarTribune Advertising Directory Contacts Jobs at the StarTribune Newspaper in Education Vita.mn Entertainment Business Listings Subscriber Services Newspaper Subscriptions Digital Access Today s Paper Vacation Holds/Billing Newsletters Website Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Site Index Buy Ads Online Ads Newspaper Ads Classifieds Store Article Archives Back copies Commercial Reprints Permissions Connect with Us Contact Us Send a press release Become a Fan Follow Us RSS2015 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions eEdition RSS Newsletters
No comments:
Post a Comment