Minnesota Wild

For the first time in the Minnesota Wild's short history, they have reached the top of their division. On the last day of the season, the Wild held their future in their hands. A win and Calgary flies into MSP, a loss (or a tie) and Colorado makes the journey northwesterly. In the end, Colorado gets the chance to fight against the #3 team in the West.

Game one ended sadly for Wild fans but the Wild come out looking to reverse their two game losing streak against Colorado. The Wild, in essence, lost their home-ice advantage with the game one loss. After dropping the first game of the series, the Wild need to be in must-win mode tonight.

To win, the Wild have three (but I'm only going to list one) things that need to happen. After being shut down for only one shot in the opening game of the series, Marian Gaborik needs support from his "enforcers." Gaborik himself also needs to step up the physicality of his game. After getting a fighting major (the first of his career) in the last game of the season, Gabby, as Brian Rolston said, needs to step "outside [his] comfort level."

"We all have to go outside of our comfort level," Rolston said. "That's what it's going to take to win. When things aren't going good, you work a little harder and sacrifice a little bit more and good things will happen." - http://www.startribune.com/17464119.html

Prior to the start of the series, I said Wild in 5. After watching them in the first game of the series, I still think that they will be winning this series but "five" games may be slightly optimistic. Gaborik comes out strong tonight but it will be Mikko Koivu and Todd Fedoruk that are the highlights tonight. Wild win in regulation.

(Update: How awesome would it have been had I been correct with Koivu's goal and a win in regulation. Awesome game last night, however.)