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

The Minnesota Wild have reached the point in their round two series against the Colorado Avalanche where they have to win to stay alive. They had a strong win in Game 3 at home and looked like they could do the same in Game 4, only to fall short, and the Avalanche took a 3-1 lead in the series. 

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

Wild Have to Give it All 

The Avalanche are going to come out ready, as they have a big chance to win the series on home ice, and they don’t want to have to come back to Minnesota for Game 6. The Wild have to come out with everything they have to get past this Avalanche team, and they’ll have to do so again without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin. It seems like this team is impossible to beat, but the Wild have done it once; they can do it again, even without Eriksson Ek and Brodin.

It’ll be hard; they’ll be on the road against a loud crowd that wants to see their home team clinch another series, but hopefully the Avalanche will be too confident. The Wild can jump on that and force their way back into the series. However, they will need everyone to step up and do everything they can to make an impact. 

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

Wild Need Special Teams

It likely goes without saying, as it has for this entire playoff run for the Wild, but they need both their power play and penalty kill to be the best they can. They’ve scored on the man advantage, but they’ve also allowed too many shorthanded goals, and they’ve cost them. If they can shut down the Avalanche’s power play, they have a strong chance to get out alive. 

It would also be a huge benefit, and almost a must, to score on any power plays they get. The Avalanche will be ready to get this game over with, and the Wild have to take any chance they get to score on them because it won’t come easy. 

If both their special teams can step up and be strong, it’ll make a difference when it comes to the outcome of the game. The Wild have scored on the power play in this series, and they’ve managed to kill off penalities so they know what it takes to be successful. 

Wild’s Goaltending Needs to Continue

If the Wild want to come back home for Game 6, they’ll need Jesper Wallstedt to stand on his head. He’s done well this entire series, and although he’s played a little risky at times, his play hasn’t directly led to any of the losses the Wild have suffered. It’s been a team effort through and through, and he’s done what he could to give them their best chances. 

One or two big saves can change the momentum of the game, and he’s proven that in this series. Although they find themselves behind, he’s had strong moments in almost every game, and again, he’s given his team a chance to win every night, even if they struggled to score on the Avalanche. 

This game is the now-or-never moment for the Wild, and they’ll have to do everything they can to make sure they get the win. It’ll be interesting to see how the Wild approach this game and if they can get things started on the right foot. Hopefully, they’ll get the win and come back home to Minnesota for Game 6.