“He played well. I think if we continue to do what we do, get around that net, play the way we can, we’re going to get something, for sure”. Sharks D Brent Burns launched 18 shot attempts (8 SOG) in a 3-2 overtime win in Game One at Edmonton and had a strong possession game alongside partner Paul Martin (21 for, 6 against, 77.8 CF%, 15-3 scoring chances)…
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“For us, there’s another six games to be played”. The prediction from this corner has been that the Wild will win in six games, the same number it took them to beat the Blues in 2015. Just a few minutes after Edmundson’s long-distance one-timer, Marco Scandella’s uncontested wrist shot banged off the crossbar.
Forward Mikael Granlund who set National Hockey League career highs in goals (26), assists (43) and points (69) this season will be the trump card for the Wild. So Sullivan put the best player in the game alongside a couple of 20-somethings who make up for in energy and intelligence what they lack in pedigree.
“There’s too much at stake and I will not allow it to get personal because my team, they need me to have the right mindset, have the right focus, have the right composure”, Yeo said Tuesday while admitting that getting fired by the Wild in February 2016 was gut-wrenching.
Here is a cool little graph from our friends at www.naturualstattrick.com to support Yeo’s claim. “That’s about all I can say”.
Friday is game two, no time to worry about game 1 any longer, as it is in the past. “He’s got a hell of a shot”.
Haula struggled to get off the ice and went right to the dressing room as boos rained down on Upshall and the officials. And that was after 59 minutes and 40 seconds of regulation play.
In come cases, fans are sold one legitimate ticket and then numerous copies of the same ticket.
Marc-Andre Fleury – With Matt Murray injured in pre-game warm-up, the Penguins turned to Fleury, and the 32-year-old vet stopped 31 of 32 shots in a 3-1 Game One victory against Columbus. Left wing Zach Parise scored to tie it up with only 23 seconds left in the third period, but the team ultimately fell 2-1 in overtime.
Shots were pretty even after the first period as Minnesota held a 10-9 advantage. If they keep dominating possession like they did on Wednesday, they should be fine. That’s important. However, looking ahead, the Wild should expect better results if Game 2 mimics Game 1.
Or, on the other hand, the Blues just got lucky.
From the Wild’s perspective, it’s tough to drop one at home to open the series.
Joel Edmundson slowly skated away from the slot after his overtime victor for St. Louis, as if the 23-year-old defenseman had done this several times before.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Friday night at Bell Centre. That kind of performance isn’t going to lead to losses most of the time. The Wild are fast and the Blues are not.
After tonight’s game, the series will shift to St. Louis for game three on Sunday and game four next Wednesday.
“They’re not going to go away”, Blues coach Mike Yeo said. They weathered the storm.
Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk could not be blamed for either goal on Wednesday but Allen stole the spotlight. Something he did with surprising efficiency. It will be surprising if either team is able to win it in five games. If they Wild can shut him down, unlike two seasons ago, they vastly increase their chances of winning this series.
Just because the Blues played conservatively and patiently didn’t mean they were always disciplined, though. Hopefully Vladimir Sabotka (the guy who was signed mainly because of his face off skills) can shoulder some of the load on that line.
Bortuzzo is expected to take Jordan Schmaltz’s spot in the lineup. “He was outstanding. He was challenged in so many situations and certainly stepped up”.
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Dubnyk was not tested almost as much as was Allen, but he played very well, and came up with some huge saves especially late in the third period, one in particular off the stick of notorious Wild killer, Vladimir Tarasenko. “But if we want to have success, we have to find ways to get in there”. “It was a good move and a great play”.
