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.
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!
