• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Minnesota Wild

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Minnesota’s Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Anthony Bloch May 12th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Stanley Cup Playoffs

Corey Crawford (Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE)

The Minnesota Wild has taken their fans on a wild and emotional Roller Coaster in the first two series of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The wild’s second round series is playing out in similar fashion to the first round series against the Colorado Avalanche, except the officials aren’t determining the outcome of a game this time around. OK, that’s not fair but I can’t let game five of the first round series alone.

Like the Colorado series, the Wild lost the first two games, then won the next two games at home and lost game five in Colorado. The Wild would end up winning the series. The Wild won all their home games in the first round as they have done against the Chicago Blackhawks in this second round series.

The Emotional Toll is Great

I’m sure many Wild fans are like me. While we’re an excited bunch, we feel like we’ve been put through the ringer at times. When our team wins, like they did in game seven in Colorado, the highs are amazing. We’re still emotionally spent but we can take it because our team from the wonderful State of Hockey won the game.

When our team loses like they did last night, the lows are brutally low. These games have started and ended late which makes getting up the next morning particularly hard, especially when the team has lost a close game.

Game five in Chicago was a close game that went down to the wire. The Wild continued their physical dominance of the Blackhawks by playing a more physical game five, outhitting Chicago 48-31. It’s been great to see the Wild play a physical game and win in that department.

Cracking Corey Crawford Will be the Key to Continued Success

In games three and four in St. Paul, the Wild were able to score goals. That’s something the Wild have had a difficult time doing all season and in some games during the playoffs. The Wild are likely to find the back of the net at home but what about in Chicago?

As far as goal output is concerned the Wild have struggled in Chicago, scoring only four goals through three games in the Windy City. It’s not like the Wild haven’t had their chances or have been greatly outplayed.

The Wild has had many chances but have been robbed by Corey Crawford who is a different goalie in Chicago. In game five, Crawford made some huge saves, some of them in the waning minutes of the game. Crawford was the best player on the ice on Sunday night and the reason why Chicago is heading back to the Xcel Energy Center up three games to two with a chance to eliminate Minnesota from the playoffs on Tuesday night.

The Blackhawks have also got the bounces at home. The bouncing and rolling puck seems to find Chicago goal scorers at the right time and just in the right places in front of the net.

Chicago Will be Tough to Beat at Home

Chicago is an experienced team. They have won two Stanley Cups in recent years and they are the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Hawks are a talented group and if the Wild are able to beat the Blackhawks in St. Paul on Tuesday night; the odds are stacked against them winning game seven in Chicago.

The Wild did pull of the upset against Colorado in Colorado in game seven but pulling the upset against the Chicago Blackhawks is entirely a different matter. Colorado was inexperienced and that allowed Minnesota to pull off one of the greatest victories in the team’s history.

As mentioned above, Chicago has the experience of winning Stanley Cups. The nucleus of last year’s championship team is basically intact. This is a team that has been through the ups and downs of grueling playoff series. In the past they have had their backs to the wall before but they find a way to win.

If the Wild can’t find a way to shut down Chicago’s snipers on the road, we will not only be heartbroken but will also be sick to our stomachs after listening to Chicago’s annoying goal celebrations.

Shut that Chelsea Dagger Up

What are the goal celebrations that make me sick to my stomach? It’s listening to Chelsea Dagger that makes me feel like I have a hangover. I usually love Chicago’s goal song; Chelsea Dagger is an infectious song and it definitely adds some atmosphere for the home crowd. In this series, hearing that song is making me sick and irritated.

I sure hope that the Wild can figure out a way to win game seven in Chicago (assuming they win game six on Tuesday night) and shut that song up for rest of this season.

The Wild have taken us on a ride. It’s been a great postseason for the team and while I don’t want to sound as if this is my premature season wrap-up, I do feel like the Wild have an uphill battle ahead of them.

That doesn’t mean that it’s a forgone conclusion that this team will bow out in six or seven games but the Wild will have to make the most of their chances and opportunities. They will have to be just as opportunistic in Chicago as they are at the Xcel Energy Center.

The ride we’ve been on will get a whole lot crazier in the next few days. Are you ready for the ride?

  • Tags
  • Corey Crawford
  • Stanley Cup
  • Xcel Energy Center
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 18th 9:05 AM
Winnipeg Jets

Shorthanded Jets Face Tough Early Test

Jan 18th 8:55 AM
Boston Bruins

6 Bruins Standouts from Opening Series Versus Devils

Jan 18th 8:45 AM
New York Rangers

Rangers’ First 2 Games Offer Stark Contrasts

Jan 18th 8:35 AM
Boston Bruins

Today in Hockey History: Jan. 18

Jan 17th 6:35 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Hope Early Start Leads to Bounce Back

Jan 17th 5:50 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Loss Can’t Be Pinned on Sorokin Entirely

Jan 17th 5:15 PM
Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings: Zadina’s Start Sparks the Imagination

Jan 17th 5:05 PM
Archives

Jacques Plante: The Man in the Fiberglass Mask

Jan 17th 4:25 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Make Tough Decision in Waiving Spezza and Dell

Jan 17th 4:05 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Joe Thornton’s First Maple Leafs’ Goal: Just a Little Trickery Out There

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information