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

The Minnesota Wild hosted the Dallas Stars on Saturday afternoon, Apr. 25, with the Stars up 2-1 in the series. The Wild looked to get a big win at home and even the series up before they headed back to Dallas for Game 5. The game started out with the Stars in the lead, and the Wild had to find a way to get themselves into the game. 

They did just that and then some as they tied the game and took the lead into the final period. The Stars responded and forced overtime, which this time the Wild won and tied the series 2-2 to force Game 6. In this article are a few storylines to follow going into Game 5, starting with the need for a team effort. 

Wild Need Everyone 

It’s always been a key to the Wild’s success that they work as a team and have everyone’s involvement from the top line to the fourth line and everyone in between. Most would probably assume that since hockey is a team sport, they need everyone involved, but some teams thrive on just one or two players being the stars. 

That’s not the case for the Wild, while they do have several players who typically lead the offense, like Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Kirill Kaprizov. However, there are players in the background who make just as much impact as the big stars like Michael McCarron, Nico Sturm, and the Folignos. 

While they need all of their forwards to step up, the same goes for their defense. Of course, Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes have everyone’s eyes on them. Then Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin are right behind them, but Jake Middleton and Zach Bogosian are the two who do more behind the scenes, and the Wild will need that going into Game 5. 

That leaves the goaltending, which the Wild are already getting some of the best they could ask for with Jesper Wallstedt. However, they’ll need him to really dig deep to get the win in Dallas in Game 5. He’s one of the biggest pieces, if not the biggest, to get the win, and it’ll be interesting to see how he does under even more pressure. 

Wild Know They Can Win 

It’s been said a few times this postseason that the Wild are a different team than they’ve been in seasons past. One of the biggest reasons for that is their confidence level; they don’t let things get to them. Although they did lose composure a bit in Game 2, which led to some penalties, they regained it in Games 3 and 4. 

Even with the power play not finding success, the team stayed the course and remained confident that they could get their power play on the right track and keep winning games. When asked if there was any frustration in their game due to the power play struggling after Game 3, Matt Boldy said there was none, and they’re still confident. 

This team hasn’t shown any signs of backing down, even when the Stars push hard. Yes, they struggle at times, but they still play with a level of certainty. The Wild will have to remain that confident, as the Stars will push back hard as they try to get the win on their ice. 

Wild Could Use Zuccarello & Trenin

Both Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin practiced with the team on Monday, Apr. 27, before they headed to Dallas. They were with them on the trip, but following practice, head coach John Hynes told the media that both players are still considered questionable for the game. It would be a huge boost for the Wild to get at least one of these players back, if not both. 

Zuccarello, of course, would bring momentum to their power play and their offense overall as Kaprizov would have his wing back. Trenin, without a doubt, would bring physicality to the roster that is needed against a team like the Stars. If he’s able to play, the Wild will hopefully put the “Russian line” back together, as that line had some great success. 

Regardless of who’s in the lineup, the Wild have to find a way to make everything click and keep their foot on the gas. They need to play like Game 1 and their overtime play in Game 4. They had moments in Games 2 and 3 as well. Hopefully, they can bring that mentality to Dallas and come home with a big Game 5 win.