Posted:
#1
-144
Bottom line is I think this line is short because of the love for MN (deserved for their play the last few months). Doobie has been terrific, but I think he will have to be even better (actually steal two games) here if the Wild are to advance.
Best of luck to all and let's hope we see a terrific post season in the NHL.
10 units
I am a pretty small potatoes guy who just got back in the game this year. But I love this play.
*Blues completely healthy
*Despite MN's record against the Blues this year, they really only put a beat down on them one time and it was in a bad spot for St. Louis IMO.
*MN can struggle against physical teams. One would say they could use their speed, but Cooke is playing and Haula and Jordan S. are sitting first game. This may change, but MN is going to try and go bigger at least to start. Zucker coming back should certainly help MN, though.
*MN's depth is nice, but the Blues can counter. Vanek has kind of feasted on 3rd line folks for half the year. Blues can throw a pretty nice defensive pairing against him (including Shattenkirk).
*I listened to an interview with Parise yesterday talking about the Blues series and he said it was going to be hard FOUR times. He knows this is not a great match-up for them.
*Goalie: MN obviously has the edge, but the Blues have spent a LOT of time in the offensive zone against MN this year. They wear on you and that can combat MN's structure on defense and their advantage in goal.
*IF MN is to win, they are going to have to make some counter plays AND capitalize. They are capable, but they also have had stretches where they have had real difficulty doing that. Their PP is a turd (although that is not the end of the world as has been demonstrated in the past with successful playoff teams); their penalty kills is terrific.
Bottom line is I think this line is short because of the love for MN (deserved for their play the last few months). Doobie has been terrific, but I think he will have to be even better (actually steal two games) here if the Wild are to advance.
In the end, I expect the Blues to lean on MN enough to eventually wear them down and I don't think MN will be able to capitalize on the fewer chances they will likely get compared to St. Louis.
I don't think the Blues goal tending has to be great here.
This is the NHL and anything can happen. We all know that. But I seriously love this play.
Best of luck to all and let's hope we see a terrific post season in the NHL.
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