Despite Furious Comeback Wild Fall in Game 2
After a dominating Game 1 win The Minnesota Wild fell flat in Game 2 of their qualifying round series against Vancouver. The Canucks evened the series at one game apiece with a 4-3 win. The Wild looked flat, Alex Stalock struggled and an abysmal power play all led to the Wild being overmatched. If not for Kevin Fiala the Wild would have been laughed off the ice. The overall game can be summed up by the performance of Ryan Donato, who looked completely lost.
UGLY EARLY
The Canucks got the scoring started before before anyone was settled in, taking a 1-0 lead 24 seconds into the game. The Wild definitely didn’t appear ready for the game.
Tanner Pearson opened the scoring 24 seconds into the first period.
โ NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 5, 2020
Thatโs the second-fastest goal from the start of a postseason game in @Canucks history, behind only the mark of eight seconds set by Stan Smyl (Game 1 of 1982 DSF). https://t.co/jqkI6qgaEQ #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/OjpgDNv9MW
The Wild tied the score with time winding down in the second period, getting a shorthanded goal from Luke Kunin to even things at 1-1.
Luke Kunin lays the boom. pic.twitter.com/z2CjyqSN5w
โ Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) August 5, 2020
Vancouver dominated the second period, scoring twice to push the lead to 3-1. The first goal came from J.T. Miller.
As we head to the 2nd intermission, let’s all enjoy this JT Miller ? one more time. #Canucks lead 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Shots: 20-18 Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/ELGzvwq2Am
โ Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 5, 2020
Vancouver made it 3-1 on a goal from Brock Boeser that snuck by Stalock as he swung left to play the initial shot.
When @_EPettersson & @BBoeser16 come together, the result is โก๏ธ?? pic.twitter.com/iHGbneE9me
โ Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 5, 2020
Vancouver wasn’t done there. They increased the lead to 4-1 in the third with a goal from Bo Horvat.
Oh that’s nice, that’s reeeeeeeeeal niiiiiiice. @BoHorvat puts the #Canucks up by a field goal, mid-3rd. pic.twitter.com/WxRl6fbBNP
โ Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 5, 2020
FIALA CATCHES FIRE
The Wild did get another goal late in the third as Kevin Fiala scored his second goal of the series.
What a release from Kevin Fiala. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/4BSQmfiVir
โ Giles Ferrell (@gilesferrell) August 5, 2020
Fiala added another goal with seven seconds left to get the Wild within one at 4-3, but that was as close as the Wild would get.
GOAL. Kevin Fiala scores his second of the period with 7.7 seconds to go.
โ Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) August 5, 2020
4-3. pic.twitter.com/hKgP5FfYVE
PITIFUL POWER PLAY
The Wild went 0-6 on the Power Play. Any time they had an opportunity with an extra skater they just seemed tentative. It drives me absolutely bonkers with a team spends most of their advantage simply passing the puck. SHOOT IT!
STALOCK STRUGGLES
Alex Stalock was masterful in Game 1 but Vancouver had his number in Game 2. The goalie position was one spot heading into the series that the Canucks had an advantage. The Wild will need Stalock or whoever else starts in Game 3 to be way .
PLEASE WIN SOME FACEOFFS
The Wild won 25 of 68 faceoffs on the night. That became painfully clear as the game wore on, every faceoff win for the Canucks prevented the Wild from sustaining any time in the Canucks zone. The Wild will absolutely have to get that fixed heading into Game 3.
EVASON ADJUSTMENTS?
All eyes will be on Dean Evason to see what sort of adjustments he makes now that the series is tied 1-1. Will Devan Dubnyk get the start? Are the line combinations going to be juggled? Will Evason stay the course and not make any changes? These are all the types of gambles that can put you in a 1-2 hole if not answered correctly.
The Wild will try to regain the lead in the series Thursday at 1:30 pm CT. You read that right, a game that starts in the afternoon!
Report Cards (via Jake Jensen)
Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan
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