Wild Get Biggest, Grittiest Win in Franchise History
Minnesota defeated the Dallas Stars in double-overtime
Game-winning goal scored by a hobbled Ryan Hartman after a Dallas giveaway
Stars flinched, Wild never did
Wild won hardly any statistical category except…blocked shots, 30-23
Lost 56.5 percent of faceoffs, had five fewer shots, had two more giveaways, and hardly possessed the puck in the third period and overtime periods
The Wild won the first two periods despite allowing two power play goals in nine seconds
Anthony’s analysis was spot-on
Be the more physical team
The Wild had fewer hits than Dallas (50-42), but delivered the bigger hits, which is more important
Massive hit by Matt Dumba on Joe Pavelski with eight minutes remaining in the second period
Given Pavelski’s concussion history, he’s likely out for the series, which is a huge loss for the Stars
Dumba is likely playing his final games in a Wild sweater and is still willing to take every retaliation shot from the Stars for what will be a long series
Puck possession is the best defense
And results in penalties for
Be volume shooters
Led in shots on goal until late in the game
Stay out of the penalty box
The Dallas power play is fierce
Were the better team at even strength until the third period
Noticibly exhausted in the third period, overtime, and second overtime
Filip Gustavsson is a rock
Made 51 saves in his playoff debut, a franchise record
Made outstanding stops to save the game late
So cool and calm, it rubs off on the team
Rookie Brock Faber stepped up big
Saved the game with a blocked shot in overtime
Showed the grit for which this team is known despite playing in his third NHL game
Took on multiple Stars against the boards and managed to retain possession of the puck
Skated almost 18 minutes
Three blocks, two hits, +1, no giveaways
Ryan Hartman continues to prove he’s a top-line center
And a hoss
Timberwolves to be Swept, and Not in a Gentlemanly Fashion
Minnesota lost Game 1 by 29 and was never close after the first quarter
Couldn’t hit shots (37 percent from the floor, 30 percent from three-point range, and 56.3 percent from the charity stripe)
Even if Denver decides to take a night off, the Nuggets should still beat Minnesota, regardless of location
Only hope is injury bug
Twins Extend Pablo Lopez
El Caballo, 27, gets four years and $73.5 million
A bargain considering prices for Game 1 playoff starterts, which we think he is
Can he win that game? Maybe? Kept the Twins in it against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees
Lost 2-0 as Cole pitched a 10-strikeout, complete game shutout
Twins lineup consisted of rookie Eduoard Julien, AL strikeout leader Byron Buxton, youngsters Trevor Larnach, Jose Miranda, and Max Kepler returning from injury
This team needs a bat
Twins, TicketRev to Allow Fans to Name Their Price
Twins invested $1.1 million in the startup and is investigating a partnership to sell unsold tickets via online auction
The Hit Heard Round the World and the Diabolical Ryan Suter