|
Wild Should Expect More From Canucks in Gm 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Game two on tap tonight between the Wild and Canucks. Expect more of the same from the Wild with the businesslike approach, but from Vancouver there will be a lot more intensity and jump in their step.
Teams know the stats and previous record of five game series and losing the first two game. It does not bode well for winning the series and the Canucks do not plan on being in that position after tonight's game.
Travis Green will have his team prepared with the necessary adjustments to get Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes and company back on their offensive game. In game one the Wild dictated the game for much of the contest and limited the Canucks chances in the offensive zone.
The fact that Vancouver only got one powetplay opportunity also played into the Wild's favor. Do not expect that same result tonight as the Wild PK will be tested.
Special teams were the difference in game one with the Wild scoring their two goals on the powerplay and then putting the final nail in with an empty netter.
Vancouver has one of the top powerplay units with only Edmonton(59 PPG 71 games) scoring more man advantage goals than did the Canucks (57 PPG, 69 games). Add to that the Canucks expertise in the faceoff circle tonight could very well be a different story for the Wild if they stray from the disciplined approach they executed on Sunday.
Alex Stalock was solid between the pipes in game one and was helped out tremendously by his defense that prevented the Canucks from second and third chances. When called upon Stalock was there and he tracked the puck well all night. He also did not venture out of the crease eliminating the chances of losing his net. Stalock likes to play the puck and is very effective when he does however his main focus is to stop the puck and to be in the best position to do that. The playoffs are a whole different story than the regular season where the number of goals against is not nearly as critical as the types of goals against and the timing of them.
The Wild appeared focused and driven to be the better team in game one and they were. Dean Evason is very different behind the Wild bench than was Bruce Boudreau. He has a different philosophy and treats each game with a relatively clean slate. He uses feel and how a player is playing that given game more as his barometer rather than basing it on past performance like BB was known to do.
The team is responding well to Evason and the subtle changes he has inorporated. Game two should be an exciting, spirited match up between the Wild and Canucks and I fully expect this one to be decided by the slimmest of margins and most likely late.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»