Simple Formula For Wild: Contain Kane, Or It's Over
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- It's not confusing, it's actually pretty simple. Win, or your season is over. There are many reasons the Minnesota Wild trails the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 in the Western Conference semifinals.
Mike Max tells us about a player who, if not careful, could make it a clean sweep and send the Blackhawks to the next round.
There is no reason to panic, not when you know the task. There's no need for a "rah-rah" pep talk.
"We all know. We don't need a speech or a heartfelt meeting. We didn't need any of that," defenseman Matt Dumba said. "And we didn't have any of that. We know what we have to do and we know we're a group with a lot of character and resilience."
The Blackhawks have won all three games and they have scored the first goal in all three. Just don't put too much of a premium on doing just that.
"We can't think about goals. That's something that hurt us last game and we didn't put anything in," Charlie Coyle said. "But you really can't think about the end result. You have to do the little things that kind of lead to that. All those details will add up to scoring goals.
When you talk about the Chicago Blackhawks, there are a number of All-Stars that you have to worry about defending. But first on the scouting report list, the one that is circled, is Patrick Kane. He may be as good as anybody in the postseason right now.
And if you blink, you might be done, eliminated from the NHL Playoffs.
Patrick Kane is the difference-maker. He can win a game, almost by himself.
"That's why it becomes extremely important to try to limit his time and space, and make it difficult on him because he's one of the best," Devan Dubnyk said.
But the bottom line is it's about win or stay home, and that's easy to comprehend.
"It's a huge game for us and we recognize that. The preparation has been good so it's time to go out there and play a good hockey game," Mikko Koivu said.
