Category Archives: NHL

Game Logs, NHL

Game Log: Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks, Game 1

46 Comments

Another series that everyone is picking as too close to call.

I'm not sure I can take the Wild being eliminated by the same team three playoff seasons in a row (even the Twins never lost to the Yankees three years in a row).  So I think I'll cheer for the Wild in this round as well.

Historical pessimism:

  • The Wild have lost all six playoff games they've ever played in Chicago.
  • The Wild have never won a game 1 in the second round (0 for 2).

The big question is whether Crawford in goal for the Blackhawks can give them a chance.  If he keeps games close, most people seem to think the "veterans who just know how to win" on the Hawks will prevail over the Wild.

The Wild didn't have to win any games that were too close in round 1 (no overtime, only one lead change all series).  It will be interesting to see if they can continue to lock down and extend leads in the same way.  (also:  scoring first is always good - something they struggled with against Chicago the last two years)

Game Logs, NHL

Game Log: St. Louis Blues @ Minnesota Wild, Game 6

27 Comments

It's pretty simple at this point.  The Wild need to win one of the next two games to move on and face the Blackhawks (again).

The Wild have really only had 10 good minutes over the course of the last two games.  Fortunately that was enough to steal game 5, so now they get to feed off the home crowd and hopefully replicate game 3.

Historical facts:

  • The Wild are 3-2 in game 6 historically (3-1 at home).
  • This is the first time the Wild have played game 6 with a series lead.
  • When they have won game 5, they are 2-0 in game 6 (both times in 2003).
  • The Wild have never won a series in less than seven games.

2015 Playoff facts:

  • In series where the two teams were separated by less than 10 points in the final standings, the lower seeded team is leading or tied in all 5 series (17-11 record)
  • In series where the two teams were separated by 10 or more points in the final standings, the higher seed has an 11-3 record and leads in or has won all 3 series.
  • The Wild and Blues were separated by 9 points in the final standings.
Game Logs, NHL

Game Log: St. Louis Blues @ Minnesota Wild, Game 3

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I thought the Wild played well in both games in St. Louis, minus a few hiccups that didn't hurt them in game 1, but did in game 2.  The series is shaping up to be the close battle that everyone predicted it to be.

So now the series is in Minnesota and it's on the Wild to hold onto home-ice advantage.  Generally the Wild have been good at home under Mike Yeo in the playoffs (6-2 record in the last two playoff years), but the home record hasn't been exactly spectacular as the season finished.

The historical pessimism corner:

  • The Wild have never finished a home game with a series lead in franchise history.
  • The Wild are 9-15 in games following a playoff loss in their history.
  • The Wild are 10-17 in playoff games played in arenas where I have attended a hockey game.
Game Logs, NHL

Game Log: Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues, Game 2

5 Comments

Historical pessimism worked so well last time, so here's a few more nuggets.

  • The Minnesota Wild have only ever held a lead in a playoff series twice.
    • Once in 2003 when they won game 1 to lead 1-0 against the Avalanche.  They lost the next three games.
    • Once in 2008 when they won game 3 to lead 2-1 against the Avalanche.  They lost the next three games.
  • The Minnesota Wild have never played a home playoff game where they entered the game with a series lead.  (In actuality, they've never finished a home playoff game with a series lead, but that's a nugget for later in the series, I think)

Game 1 was a good game for the Wild, they just need to do that again.

Game Logs, NHL

Game Log: Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues, GAME 1

148 Comments

How about some history?

  • The Minnesota Wild are 1-7 in games 1 of playoff series in franchise history (they've lost 7 in a row).
  • The Minnesota Wild are 8-18 in road playoff games in franchise history (they've lost 11 of their last 12).
  • The Minnesota Wild have never beat the St. Louis Blues in a playoff game in franchise history.
  • The Minnesota Wild are 7-18 in playoff games on days where the Twins won a baseball game (they are 11-11 if the Twins don't win or don't play)

OK, enough history.

I don't know what I think about this series, to be honest with you.  The Wild are certainly capable of beating the Blues, but I would say that it wouldn't take much for the Blues to beat the Wild as well.

Looking around I see a lot of people saying this series is too close to call and then picking the Blues.  The Wild have the advantage in goaltending and the penalty kill, but their power play just doesn't contribute and I can see that being a potential huge problem if the Blues find a way to get their own special teams rolling.

Still, if the goal totals stay low, I like the Wild's chances.

Either way, it's playoff hockey and therefore awesome.  Here we go!