Dan Wallace: Game 3!!! Pivotal Match in St. Paul

Great opportunity with the next two games here at home. Would really make a difference adding JEE back to the line up.

Dean Evason may have pushed the wrong button in game two with Fleury start. He could have made a genius move, time will tell.

How can playing playoff choke-artist Fleury and getting shelled for seven goals be a "genius move"???

Wild cannot afford another performance like game 2, if so they might as well not even bother showing up. I think their chances of Winning this series are minimal if they continue to perform like game 2 but they’ve got a chip, chair and a chance if they can duplicate their game one efforts.

Listening to Paul Allen on Vox in the Box today, sounds like Hartman will not be playing, but Eriksson-Ek will be. Getting JEE back will help, depending on healed up he really is. But I think losing Hartman is going to be a big loss and not just for his fit centering Zuccarello and Kaprizov. Hartman has some Brad Marchand to his game, in the fact that he gets under the skin of opposing players. JEE does as well, but I don't believe he irritates as much as Hartman.

Getting some insight from Ryan Carter this morning, DeBoer has told his team that the Wild thrive on rubbing teams the wrong way (legally) and that makes them play better. DeBoer has told his team to "turn the other cheek" and not fall into that trap. Missing Hartman as an agitator makes that a bit more difficult. Real good points about the PK by Carter as well, stating how the PK is going to struggle as JEE is generally the 1st PK, and Mason Shaw was part of the 2nd PK. And I think Shaw has a little bit of instigator to his game as well. So parts to the Wild way of play this year are out or have been out.

That all said, Foligno, Nyquist, Duhaime and Sundqvist need to drive the style of play tonight. I expect KK and Zucc to have a few moments tonight as well. And for Gus to stand on his head.

If JEE is healthy I would like to see him with Kirill and Mats. He brings some size and net front presence to that line. Steel has played much better lately but he hasn’t shown chemistry with them. If Hartman can’t go then keep Boldy at center. That makes Steel the odd man out.

Exactly the performance the Wild were looking for. Tight defensively while they disrupted the Stars puck possession and movement. Wild were good in all facets tonight but especially in their neutral zone play. Tonight the Wild looked to be the better team from the start even though JEE only played one shift. Hartman was key in this one. Jo Jo and Nyquist looking good as well. Foligno huge.

Sundqvist hurt?

Exactly the performance the Wild were looking for. Tight defensively while they disrupted the Stars puck possession and movement. Wild were good in all facets tonight but especially in their neutral zone play. Tonight the Wild looked to be the better team from the start even though JEE only played one shift. Hartman was key in this one. Jo Jo and Nyquist looking good as well. Foligno huge.

Sundqvist hurt?
- MnGump

I think Sundqvist was a scratch along with Steel with JEE and Hartman in. Don’t think he’s injured.
Both Steel and Sundqvist can play center but I think Steel gets back in for Game 4.

Marchment reminds me of his dad. Plays close to the edge and even dirty sometimes but refused to go with Foligno. I remember when his dad had a dirty hit on Nieuwemdyk to put him out of the playoffs and refused to go with Bob Bassen.

Terrific game plan for the Wild. They were disciplined in not taking retaliatory penalties. Big contrast in how calm Gus looks in goal compared to MAF’s hyper style.

As dominant as a performance as the Wild have had in years! Especially considering they lost JEE after his first shift and had to go on the PK to start the game. That was Wild hockey. Let's get the next one and put both teams on the brink! One on the brink of going home and the next onto the next round!!!