Another game, another frustrating performance by the Wild. I would not say that the Blackhawks have played up to their potential in either of these two games, yet they lead the series 2-0. How is that, you might ask? Because they are converting their scoring chances and the Wild aren't. The Wild hit three posts in Game 1 and in Game 2, they had plenty of chances once they got done sleepwalking through the first period. At least Matt Moulson is making the decision easy on the Wild about resigning him.
So what has to happen for the Wild to get back into this series?
- Get the top lines going. It's been three games since they made any noise.
- Feed off the crowd. I thought again the atmosphere in Chicago for Game 2 was pretty flat. The Wild should be able to feed off what should be a frenzied crowd on Tuesday night.
- Convert more of these golden chances they've been getting in games one and two
A couple thoughts before discussing Game 1 between the Wild and Blackhawks:
- Thank God this game is not on CNBC. Not living in Minnesota, I had to suffer through the Wild being on CNBC for the first round. The NHL and the NBC family should be ashamed of the quality of the broadcasting/production done in those games. No explanation on who penalties were on or replays of them. Charlie Coyle takes a shot to the face and has to head to the dressing room. Think we could get a replay to see what happened? Watching the game on NBCSN tonight was a huge improvement both in terms of production of the game and the quality of the announcing.
- I'm not a fan of the two man broadcasting team where the color guy is stationed at the bench. Dave Strader and Brian Engblom did a solid job tonight but I just feel like the guy on the bench gets screened from plays a lot and has the added responsibility of giving the viewers the feel on the benches of both teams
- The atmosphere in the United Center seemed pretty flat. Sure, it go loud when the Hawks scored a goal but everyone was back in their seats and sitting on theirs hands after about 20 seconds. Maybe it's just how it comes across on TV but it didn't look like it could hold a candle to the atmosphere in the Pepsi Center from Round 1.
- Is there a more terrifying player with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone than Patrick Kane?
Tough game tonight for the Wild but if you've watched this team all year, you've seen this game happen before. The Wild had an early power play opportunity and despite moving the puck well and generating a few looks, they couldn't capitalize. The Hawks got an early power play goal after Zach Parise couldn't capitalize on a short handed break and then controlled the play for the majority of the period. Possible huge development during this period after Andrew Shaw left the game with a lower body injury and is being listed as day-to-day.
The second period was a completely different story and the Wild came out with a much better forecheck and were able to generate multiple scoring chances but either couldn't put the puck in the net, missed it completely, or hit the post. Chicago really struggled with turnovers in this period and they generated virtually no even strength pressure. But once again, Jonas Brodin was called for a penalty and the Hawks were able to capitalize once again to go up 2-0. So despite outshooting Chicago 17-3 in the second, the Wild went into the dressing room after the second period down two goals.
In the third period, the Wild again came out strong and after a few missed opportunities, Clayton Stoner picked up a goal after his shot found its way through Corey Crawford's pads and was eventually kicked in by Johnny Oduya after he initially swept the puck off the goal line. A few minutes later, a great forecheck by Danny Heatley set up a goal by Kyle Brodziak and just like that, the Wild had tied it up in the third period at two. But then, Kane walked around two Wild defenders on a rush and roofed a puck to put the Hawks up 3-2 and tapped in a spectacular redirection from Ben Smith on another power play and that was all she wrote. An empty net goal provided the final margin.
Looking ahead to Game 2 Sunday afternoon:
- The Wild need to make sure the penalty kill from the first round against Colorado shows up and not the unit that finished 27th during the regular season.
- Hit the net!!!!!
- Can Ilya Bryzgalov win a game for them? During the broadcast last night, they said he has given up 3 or more goals in 17 of his last 18 playoff starts. If he keeps that up, I don't see the Wild winning a game, much less this series.
