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Game 3!!! Pivotal Match in St. Paul |
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Game 3 shifts to St. Paul and the XCEL Energy Center in this Central Division Showdown Series all tied up at a game apiece.
It is now a best of five with the Wild holding home ice advantage. That is the way they must approach games three and four. Of course it is a one game at a time mentality always for Dean Evason and his team, so tonight is the most important game of the season to date.
The Wild need to completely erase the result of game two, but remember the how they felt and how they let the game get away early, and make the adjustments accordingly.
What we know so far:
Dallas is going to win the series if the Wild continue to take penalties at an alarming rate.
Minnesota has set the tone physically and at times have shown they can limit the Stars chances to the outside for extended stretches.
The Stars have their top end talent producing.
The Wild depth scoring is coming through, deadline additions are contributing significantly.
Dallas has appeared to hold up better as the games go on, looking fresher throughout. A lopsided victory can go a long way in enhancing that.
Jake Oettinger is beatable, yes he is an elite goaltender but the WIld are getting great looks and have beaten him for six goals.
Dean Evason may have pushed the wrong button in game two with Fleury start. He could have made a genius move, time will tell.
Joe Pavelski did not travel with the team to Minnesota, leaving his status for the remainder of the series in question.
Joel Eriksson Ek missed games one and two, but is getting closer to returning, possibly as early as tonight. JEE skating this morning with team looks good, Ryan Hartman skating too, but limited.
Dallas special teams are simply on fire scoring five powerplay goals on 11 opportunities, while adding a shorthanded goal that set the tone for game two.
The Wild 5-on-5 play is their advantage scoring four goals to the Stars two at even strength.
Matt Dumba is public enemy #1 for the Stars and their fans.
Ryan Suter is public enemy #1 for the Wild and their fans, and as a former long time Minnesota defenseman, that becomes even more interesting.
So the foundation has been established. The teams are making adjustments. points and counter points to get the edge in this pivotal game three.
We know who will be between the pipes for the Wild and we also expect the Wild to play with better structure.
Dallas will come in with the attitude that they are the superior team, coming off a dominant game two victory. They also look at game one as a game they could very well have won and probably in their own minds think they should have.
Game two needs to serve as a wakeup call to the Wild who have worked their way through the season to get here, period. They know their real work has begun now and the team assembled is one that is built to competer in a series and to give them the best chance to come out victorious.
It's Always Hockey Day In The State of Hockey!
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Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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