The Minnesota Wild’s Playoff Challenges
The Minnesota Wild are facing a challenging position as they prepare to return home for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche. With the series currently tilted against them at two games to none, the Wild are becoming increasingly aware of their struggles with special teams, particularly on the power play, as they cope with an alarming 0-for-5 record in that department throughout the series so far, contributing to their overall playoff woes.
Power Play Inefficiency
Wild center Michael McCarron succinctly pointed out the areas needing attention during the team’s off days. Despite leading the postseason in power-play opportunities with 30, the Wild have managed only four goals on the power play. This inefficiency follows them from their previous series where they went 4 for 25 against Dallas, raising concerns as they aim to regain their momentum.
“Hockey is tough at this time of year,”
said forward Matt Boldy, highlighting the urgency for the team to convert their chances into goals.
Wild captain Jared Spurgeon echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to remain focused and mitigate mistakes against a potent Avalanche squad. He noted that while the team has had their scoring opportunities, they need to regroup and make the most of their chances.
Injury Concerns
Adding to the Wild’s challenges is the potential return of key players like Joel Eriksson Ek, who has been sidelined due to a lower-body injury. He and fellow defenseman Jonas Brodin are due for evaluations that could determine their availability for the crucial game.
Poor Penalty Killing
The Wild’s penalty-killing unit also ranks low in effectiveness, having allowed 13 goals on 32 chances in the playoffs thus far, while the Avalanche have capitalized on special teams, going 3 for 7 with the man advantage in this series. Spurgeon pointed out the need for a concerted effort to address these issues, particularly on the penalty kill, where players need to enhance their awareness and defensive reads against the swift puck movement of Colorado.
Goaltending Decisions
In goal, the Wild have experimented with their goaltenders after Jesper Wallstedt faced criticism for allowing eight goals in the first game. Filip Gustavsson was brought in for Game 2 but also couldn’t secure a win, yielding four goals. Coach John Hynes reflected on the team’s performance, stating that special teams seemed to be a decisive factor in their recent losses.
Avalanche’s Strengths
Conversely, the Avalanche showcased why they are contenders, highlighting their ability to adapt to different game styles. Captain Gabriel Landeskog noted that their performance in Game 1 could improve, and they recognized areas to improve, responding effectively in their strategy to be more disciplined and make smart decisions with the puck.
