Victor Bartley's even-strength goal at 11:18 of the first period gave the Wild a 1-0 lead that would hold up until early in the second period, when the Avs scored the first of four unanswered goals on their way to the win.
Every team has the option to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie -or- eight skaters and one goalie. Obviously we are a long way from the draft, but as of today who should the Wild keep?
Bruce Boudreau's teams have been remarkably consistent and successful over nearly a decade on the bench in the NHL. They've also had a history of early exits from the playoffs, which is why the 61-year-old coach became available to the Minnesota Wild.
Jason Pominville scored with 4:47 left in regulation to cut the Stars' lead to 5-4, but Nino Niederreiter's shot with :34 left in the game came an inch short of fully clearing the goal line.
On the brink of elimination the Minnesota Wild find a way to get the job done and stay alive in the playoffs. The team now trails 3-2 in the series after picking up the 5-4 overtime victory against the Dallas Stars last (Friday) night.
The series shifts to Dallas for game five Friday night. Puck drop on AM 1390 The Fan is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 8:15.
Granite City Sports airs Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on AM 1390 The Fan with Jay Caldwell, John Holler, Lee Voss and Dave Overlund. The podcast is also available on iTunes.
Game four is scheduled for Wednesday night at the X, with puck drop scheduled for 8:30 p.m. The game can be heard on AM 1390 The Fan beginning with the pregame show at 8:15.