Dan Wallace: Best of Three, Buckle Up!

St Louis needs to always follow up their shots because Fleury is a rebound maestro, blocking pucks back out front faithfully.

Excellent write up Dan!

Boy was that an exciting game to watch?!?!

Blues definitely showed their Moxy by staying within themselves and quit trying to go out of their way to hit Wild players and concentrating on playing hockey. I think if they keep doing that, they will give the Wild all they can handle these next several games. Especially if they can get Leddy and Bortuzzo back!
I think Perunovich played outstanding in his 1st ever playoff game. He QB'd the Blues PP very nicely and didn't look out of place at all! Will help offset the loss of Krug somewhat.

The Wild played a very good game and they put a lot of pressure on the Blues and the Blues bent but never broke.

Bring on game 5!!!

Not the best game from the Wild yesterday. And that can't happen because the Blues are one of the best in the NHL and know how to win in the playoffs. Evason will need to go back to the drawing board for a new game plan for game #5. As much as I really wanted the Wild to win yesterday, I also was not surprised. I am still pretty sure that this series is going 7. Said it before and will say it again, this has to be the best 1st Rd series going this year. 2 heavyweights standing in the middle of the ring trading punches.

As for the Fiala thing, I've spent more time trying to figure out a way for Guerin to keep this player or that player. Normally I am doing that at home, but today I had to go into the office, so I can't go back to the outlines that I have created for going forward. But I am resigned to the fact that not every Wild fan is going to be happy with this upcoming off-season and the moves that Guerin pulls off.

Enjoy the ride cause the team will look dramatically different next year.

Regarding game 5. Sounds like Leddy and Bortuzzo will be back. Expectation is that Blues will dress 7 dmen again. 4th line only got 5 mins of time game and there is more value to be had by having an extra Dman.

Fiala was on fire last 2 months of regular season and was certainly instrumental in helping win home ice advantage in the first round, but much like the first half of the regular season, he’s been fairly invisible thus far in the post season.

I Like Fiala, but like a first round pick better at this point considering the contract type and term Kevin will most assuredly be holding out for.

Fiala was on fire last 2 months of regular season and was certainly instrumental in helping win home ice advantage in the first round, but much like the first half of the regular season, he’s been fairly invisible thus far in the post season.

I Like Fiala, but like a first round pick better at this point considering the contract type and term Kevin will most assuredly be holding out for.
- MnGump

I agree. Would love to keep the kid, but he is going to hold someone ransom this off season, and I'm hoping the Wild don't give in. No way can we keep him, time to move on.

Let's say the Wild do trade away Fialalalala now (not right now, at least wait until the playoffs are over), who takes his place. If Rossi is going to C a line with Boldy on it, where does that move Gaudreau? This is assuming the Wild keep the Zucc/Hart/Kirill line intact. Gaudreau is trusted by Evason on that line, as he is defensively responsible, letting Fiala and Boldy to create offense. I'm not so sure moving Gaudreau to the wing with Rossi/Boldy would be a good idea. I don't think Jost is the answer there either. Not really sure if you want Beckman on that line yet as well.

I don't think the roster is going to look all that much different than it currently is, except for the subtraction of 1 player, be it Fiala or Dumba, or even a surprise move.

Let's say the Wild do trade away Fialalalala now (not right now, at least wait until the playoffs are over), who takes his place. If Rossi is going to C a line with Boldy on it, where does that move Gaudreau? This is assuming the Wild keep the Zucc/Hart/Kirill line intact. Gaudreau is trusted by Evason on that line, as he is defensively responsible, letting Fiala and Boldy to create offense. I'm not so sure moving Gaudreau to the wing with Rossi/Boldy would be a good idea. I don't think Jost is the answer there either. Not really sure if you want Beckman on that line yet as well.

I don't think the roster is going to look all that much different than it currently is, except for the subtraction of 1 player, be it Fiala or Dumba, or even a surprise move.
- Gusrichards

Well IMO, Jost was not a good replacement for Sturm and honestly Rask was more productive than Jost….