Wilderness Walk: Up Against It... Again

This does feel a little like history repeating itself.

The Wild finds itself in the exact same situation it was in during the opening round of last season’s playoffs, facing a 3-1 deficit entering Game 5. The only differences last year were how we got to this spot (St. Louis had jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Minnesota finally got its first and only win in the series), and the Wild held home ice, meaning that it played Game 5 at Xcel Energy Center.

Minnesota played well in last season’s version of Game 5, but it still wasn’t enough to get past the Blues, who ultimately triumphed in overtime. Will we see more of the same tonight? Or do the Wild players have a little comeback magic buried deep within themselves?

Games 3 and 4 of this series were a lot more even than Games 1 and 2, but the challenge ahead of Bruce Boudreau’s squad is no smaller in 2018 than it was in 2017. The Wild will need to play a nearly perfect game to find a victory in the very hostile Bell MTS Place tonight.

Taking us through today’s Walk is Underoath, with a rather intense tune about being up against the wall.

Wild News

Wild changes up lineup ahead of Game 5
Kyle Rau and Ryan Murphy sliding in for Tyler Ennis and Carson Soucy.

‘It can be done’: Wild sell hope heading into must-win Game 5
Yes it can! Let’s go!

Defence-Depleted Jets call up rookie Sami Niku for Friday’s Game 5
Canadians spell “defense” with a “c.”

Off the Trail

Ovechkin proves prediction correct with help from Holtby, Oshie
2-2 in that crazy series in which the road team has won all four games.

NHL suspends Nashville Predators forward Ryan Hartman for Game 5
I don’t recall this many suspensions last season, do you?

Patrice Bergeron-less Bruins beat Maple Leafs in Game 4
3-1 Boston. We feel you, Leafs.

Yes, that really was Seinfeld’s David Puddy in face paint at the Devils game
This happened two nights ago, but it’s one of my favorite things to ever happen at an NHL game, so I'm sharing this with you.

Von Miller just discovered hockey and he is WAY into it
Welcome aboard, Von.