NHL PLayoffs 13' - 14'

[10,000 Casts]

IMO, this is the best possible match up for the Wild.

IF Bryzgalov plays solid, I like the Wild in 6. But that's a big if!

[Bear55]

We should probably remember this is the best possible matchup for the Avs too, who wouldn't want to avoid Chicago or St. Louis in round one. I feel like we have a good chance to win but a lot depends on Bryz which is a little scary. Avs went 4-1 against us this year, one win in a shootout.

[schmitty3]

The Av's did go 4-1 against us, but we outshot them every game, and really outplayed them for the majority of all the games.

Relying on Bryz is very scary, but who knows who could be great.

[solbes]

Anaheim would have been better. But I like our chances vs the Avs over Chicago or St Louis.

Regardless of who our opponent is, we need to play like we did the last week and a half (excluding the throw-away Nashville game). Especially all of those late third period come back goals we had.

Bryz will be fine I think.

[OnAFly]

CHI wouldn't be so bad I think. Really, to me it seems we match up OK with them. STL, well it depends on which team shows up. The team from the first 70 games or the team from the last 12. I certainly wouldn't want the former. ANA...well who knows. We did pull out a win or two there, but I just get a bad feeling from that one. SJ would have been a nightmare. LA would kill Granlund and Brown would get a trophy from the NHL for it.

If we play like we have in the last 6 or whatever (as stated above), we should have a good shot at this.

[Bear55]

The Av's did go 4-1 against us, but we outshot them every game, and really outplayed them for the majority of all the games.

This is true but I think Roy might be a genius because they seem to have consistently turned those kinds of games into wins. They have a high flying offense and a better goalie, just have to find a way to slow them down.

I really do think we can win this one, we are playing some great hockey right now. It sounds like Granlund will be back, the vets are playing great and Coyle/Haula have been awesome the past couple of weeks, Nino has looked much better of late. What the he11 even Broziak is averaging two goals a game over the past one game.

[TomWehler]

Av's really good at taking advantage of other team screw ups.

Kind of lke a Lion in the brush sometimes, then POWER they up 2 on ya.

Good Goolie an fast younger dudes so will be almost even match if Big D. don't play.

If he can play they get a big lift in the O zone.

Wild can really do well if Yeo has them ready an adjusts play during games.

No shoot out or waiting until last 5 mintes in 3rd to get bizzy.

I kind of feel the Wild have just as much fire power so lets see what ya got.

Bryz is a long fave of mine and really can make a difference.

Looks like he enjoys playing for Wild an likes fellow players an media so far.

He can be a handful during interviews an love that.

Needs a bit of help in front other wise he can be a mind %$#@'er to other teams most of the time.

Winning one early on Av's ice will no doubt be key way I see it.

Cool thing about playoffs is they make players who don't really hit start to hit, finish checks or look to hit, steal, create something that pays off big time.

Makes things in front of net a bit more tense.

Less hot dog play mid ice, an more snap shots in tight an anything goes when open to shoot.

The little thing either way can make or break even the best.

Young guys not going into a pout or cur out when a few things go south will be a big deal also.

Bla bla bla, will be fun series.

Only real down side of all of this is Lapanta & Greenlay being allowed to say a word.

Keep on rocken!

Tommy

[Bear55]

Can't argue with any of that Tom, I'm starting to get excited!!! Hopefully some of the younger Avs hitting the playoffs for their first time are a little shell shocked, we need to frustrate them big time.

[CaptainMusky]

I like that Yeo is going with the speed approach in his lineup. Looking at games throughout this year with a similar lineup (mainly against Chicago, with San Jose in there too) it has caused fits for them.

Should be fun. The Avs have a lot of injuries so we will so who actually suits up for them.

[OnAFly]

For those who haven't seen the lines for tonight:

FORWARD LINES

Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Charlie Coyle

Matt Moulson-Mikael Granlund-Jason Pominville

Matt Cooke-Kyle Brodziak-Nino Niederreiter

Stephane Veilleux-Erik Haula-Cody McCormick

DEFENSE PAIRINGS

Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon

Marco Scandella-Jonas Brodin

Clayton Stoner-Nate Prosser

GOALTENDERS

Ilya Bryzgalov

Darcy Kuemper

John Curry

As much as it sucks to have to put Haula on the 4th line, I understand where Yeo is coming from here with the 3rd line. If he can actually use it to shut down the Avs top scorers, it will give our top two much more room to work with better match ups. Still, I guess it depends on which Brodziak shows up.

[Bear55]

Woo hoo game day!!!! Ya not totally upset about Haula, we should probably remember he's just a rookie and still learning the ropes. I suspect he will be our 3rd line center very soon. Its also nice to have a guy like him who can really jump up and fill in for any injuries.

On a side note (regardless if we win or lose this series) I would like to thank Chuck Fletcher and Zach Parise for turning this franchise around, without those two guys we would still suck!

[RK]

Granlund for Haula on the second line is a no-brainer if Granlund is healthy. The guy has 41 points in 63 games. Don't get me wrong. Haula is looking like a ridiculous steal as a 7th rounder, and there's no doubt he'll be a top 9 forward someday, if not top 6. His speed is pretty amazing and speed is something the Wild lacks to some degree. But Granlund's playmaking ability is off the charts good. With his passing, Pominville's shot and Moulson in front of the net that second line is pretty dangerous.

Going to be fun tonight. I hope the defense is a little better for the Wild than it was in some of the games last night. If the Wild get into a track meet with the Avs they're cooked. Much as some hate it, they will have to dump and chase and wear down the Avs D. Their D corps is green as grass, and hopefully the Wild can get the puck deep on them and force them to play in their own end.

[CaptainMusky]

Hopefully Bryz shakes off the last game and doesnt let it get into his head. It was clear it wasnt mostly his fault, just the team was playing to not get hurt.

Bummed that Haula is on the 4th line, but with a healthy Granlund he had to move down.

I like Coyle on the wing vs center. I think it has helped his game a bit.

Excited for tonight, lets steal one.

[BartmanMN]

I'd like Haula on third and Brodzy on 4th, but what do I know. Haula will get his chances with special teams, hopefully.

[solbes]

Brodz with a goal and a giveaway. 4-3 dog fight in the third. Game could go either way.

I will say Coyle's and Haula's goals were S-weet.. Dominated in the 2nd with strong forecheck and seem to be losing momentum as we move on in the third. 11 to go, lets get back in the O zone.

I keep pouring homebrew out of the tap. No working tomorrow, Go WIld!

[OnAFly]

I keep mixing up gin/tonics. Hendricks is good stuff.

Spurgeon needs to clear that. We need to be more aggressive on the 6-5. I can't effing believe this is happening. Yeo...STOP PLAYING NOT TO LOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Westy]

did you see yoe yelloing at the players lisen to me.... after we were ahead by 2 if he is still with us after this I will NEEVER GO SEE A GAME TILL HE IS GONE what a losser how much power do u need to be an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly and collect a check

[Westy]

thank you for fixing my

[solbes]

Killed twice on extended time in the zone. Gonna be tough to forget about this one.

[schmitty3]

Spurgeon clears that puck and we win, I don't know what he was thinking. Same goes for the Brodziak giveaway too though.

[PFUNK]

What a heartbreaker tonight. I thought we played a pretty darn good hockey game but those avs continue to show how dangerous they are when opponents turn the puck over. Tighten up the defense a bit and get some better goaltending and we'll be fine I think. Saturday we gotta steal one. Hopefully we come out strong cuz this one has to hurt mentally.

[Westy]

every time we get ahead by 2 or more Yoe turns into a hair pie Attack that's what got us there we were attacking and yoe starting yoeing at our players rewind and watch him we are winning attack but that's not yoe's way

[CaptainMusky]

I have said it before and will say it again a 2 goal lead is the worst in hockey.

It will really show the mettle of this team how they come out sat. What a letdown. They should have had this one.

[gunner55]

The turnover that gave them the 3rd goal & let them back in the game was nothing but stupid.I was thinking the same CM,there's no way they should have lost this one & I hope they show up for 1 on Sat. or this series could be over.

[Bear55]

I'm so [PoorWordUsage] right now, I hate to blame individuals in a team game like this but that loss is on Spurgie and Brodziak, for whatever reason they have been coughing up pucks the past few weeks and it cost us huge last night. I can't even believe what I saw last night, that game was a sledge hammer to the stomach.

[Guest]

Avs absolutely punished us all night and wore us out....what a great mix of players they have....and young too. I don't see us having much left in the tank physically & mentally after that one so Bryz (or Keumper) will have to stand on their head in order to win tomorrow IMO...but could sweep 2 at home to even it up.

I still think it will go 7.....Go Wild!

BTW....Out-Coached last night

[10,000 Casts]

Good learning process for the Wild. When you're 2nd to last in checking in the NHL, it's going to be a tough road in the playoffs..

[OnAFly]

OK, I'm all for it. Switch Haula and Brodziak. How can our defensive specialist be -3 in a game we had in the bag.

[BartmanMN]

Really frustrating to watch them lose that game. I have no idea why Spurgie attempted to slide that puck over to Parise rather than just get it out of the zone. Really poor choice at that point of the game.

And dang, Pommer was left all alone and missed by a couple inches. That would have been a nice finish.

[Bear55]

Switch Haula and Brodziak.

I don't know how Yoe can't see this, Haula is outplaying almost everyone right now and Brodz gets 20 minutes of ice time and costs us the game with a brutal play. Not even 3 goals in his past 2 games should be keeping him off the 4th line right now. I seriously need to calm down but I am just [PoorWordUsage] right now. Spurgie needs to come off the top pair as well, he is a great player but he can't handle Suters minutes or competition and it has been obvious ever since they put him there. I like Brodin and Scandella as a good 2nd pair but man Spurgie hasn't been playing all that well since the move. Wild have to answer in a big way Saturday or we could be in trouble. Avs are extremely dangerous but this is a winnable series.