Wild Must Ramp Up Passion In Game 4
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It is amazing how a win can change your entire outlook.
The Minnesota Wild got it in Game 3, and they need a big dose of that same emotion Wednesday in Game 4.
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What happened Monday night was it became a real playoff series.
"[The Wild] game to play, they had their tough Game 1, they got better in Game 2, and they had a big push in two periods in Game 3. Now we got a series," said Dallas Stars Head Coach Lindy Ruff.
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What happened Monday night was the Wild awakened an inner emotion in a do-or-die moment, and found out they still have something.
"We got our first win, but now it's all about the next one," said Wild forward Mikael Granlund.
So in Game 4 Wednesday, passion may be a bigger factor than adjustments -- from everyone.
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"We obviously feed off the energy the fans bring. We've had a history of playing well at home in the playoffs, and this was a big game for us," said Wild forward Jason Pominville.
Thomas Vanek skated Tuesday, but he is doubtful unless the series goes at least six games.
No one expects to see Zach Parise play in this series, but he did have a private skate Tuesday. And while he may not be 100 percent, at least he is approaching it like he wants to play hockey again in 2016.
The puck will drop for Game 4 Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center at 8:30 p.m. Game 5 is set for Friday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas.