Minnesota Wild Gameday Playoff Preview Game 5. vs the Avalanche – The Hockey Writers – Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have reached a point in their two-round series against the Colorado Avalanche where they must win to stay alive. They had a strong win in Game 3 at home and it looked like they could do the same in Game 4, but ended up falling short, with the Avalanche taking a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Wild did a lot of things well in Game 3, but for some reason, they couldn’t find a way to do the same in Game 4. They have the ability to do that, and they can keep up with them, but they struggle to do that. In this article, we will look at what the Wild must do to stay alive in Game 5, which will take place on Tuesday evening, May 13, starting with their overall effort.

Wild Must Give It All

The Avalanche will come out ready, as they have a great chance to win the series on home ice, and they don’t want to go back to Minnesota in Game 6. The Wild must come out with everything they have to go through this Avalanche team, and they will have to do it again without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin. It seems like this team can’t be beaten, but the Wild did it once; they can do it again, even without Eriksson Ek and Brodin.

It will be difficult; they will be on the road against a big crowd that wants to see the home team win another series, but hopefully the Avalanche will be more confident. The Wild can jump on that and force a comeback in the series. However, they will need everyone to step up and do their best to make an impact.

They will need to step up their game and be desperate if they want to stay alive. If they don’t do those things they will be heading home, not to prepare for another game, but to empty their lockers. Hopefully, the Wild can get the all-around performance they need from their team and come away with a win.

Wild Need Special Teams

It may go without saying, as it has been throughout the Wild’s playoff run, but they need both their power play and penalty kill to be at their best. They scored from man to man, but they also allowed too many short goals, and it cost them. If they can shut down the power of the Avalanche, they have a solid chance of getting out alive.

It can also be a huge advantage, and probably should be, to score points on any power plays they get. The Avalanche will be ready to finish this game, and the Wild should take any opportunity they get to beat them because it won’t come easily.

If both of their special teams can step up and be strong, it will make a difference when it comes to the outcome of the game. The Wild have scored on the power play in this series, and have been able to eliminate penalties so they know what it takes to win.

Wild’s Goaltending Needs to Continue

If the Wild want to come home in Game 6, they will need Jesper Wallstedt to stand on their head. He’s been good throughout the series, and while he’s played in a bit of danger, his play hasn’t directly led to any of the losses the Wild have suffered. It was a team effort all the way through, and he did everything he could to give them their best chance.

One or two big saves can change the momentum of a game, and he proved that in this series. Despite finding themselves behind, he had solid moments in almost every game, giving his team a chance to win every night, even as they struggled to score against the Avalanche.

This game is now or never for the Wild, and they will have to do everything they can to make sure they win. It will be interesting to see how the Wild approach this game and if they can get things started on the right foot. I hope they get a win and go home to Minnesota for Game 6.