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Now The Fun Begins: Game 5 Wild Blues |
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Punch counter punch as the series moves back to the State of Hockey in this now, best of three.
Each side knows the other very well, and there is nothing more that either team needs to learn about the other. It is all about the adjustments both teams have made and execution.
Tonight is the pivotal game that is going to place one side on the brink of elimination. It will come down to the one that capitalizes on their opportunities and limits the mistakes. That all seems obvious but as the game moves along and tensions mount it can spiral out of control.
Game four saw that happen with Kevin Fiala late in the game when he lost his composure and took the cross checking penalty that all but sealed the Wild's fate. Two goals down. We have seen the Wild work magic on many occasions, but that was eliminated with one poor decision.
Last game Craig Berube rode Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko hard with each playing over 30 minutes. If that is the case again it works in the Wild's favor, as they play a heavy down low game which should tire the Blues top defensemen out.
Keeping calm and limiting the retaliation to a distant stare will very both team's mindset heading into the game, how it plays out will be the telling factor in the end.
The GREEF line was noticeably off in game four, and thar does not happen very often. I fully expect them to be the Wild's best line tonight. They typically establish the tone and the team follows. The aforementioned Kevin Fiala is also poised to get his game back on track at home.
For the Blues, Jordan Kyrou, was their best forward and he is feeling it right now. Colton Parayko may have been the best player for either team in game four limiting the Wild top line all night.
The Wild may be adjusting the lineup a bit with the potential for Dmitry Kulikov to step back in for Alex Goligoski, and we may see Nick Bjugstad inserted as well.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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