Round 1 : Minnesota v Dallas

[sseagle]

Times/Tv to be added as uncovered. All times Central/US TV providers.

Thursday April 14 Minnesota v Dallas 8:30 NBCSN
Saturday April 16 Minnesota v Dallas 7:00 NBCSN
Monday April 18 Dallas @ Minnesota 7:30 CNBC
Wednesday April 20 Dallas @ Minnesota 8:30 NBCSN
Friday April 22 Minnesota v Dallas TBA TBA
Sunday April 24 Dallas @ Minnesota TBA TBA
Tuesday April 26 Minnesota v Dallas TBA TBA

[gaijin]

Unfortunately, even though Minnesota is playing much better recently, they're not displaying the same sleeper upset potential they had last year. I think Dallas comes away with this one without a terrible amount of trouble.

[glen a richter]

Wild in 7

Dallas is well suited for the regular season, but defenses tighten up in the playoffs and they don't have much of one.

[Kerfuffle]

I'm going with Wild in 7. Dallas is a scoring machine but their D and tending are not that strong. They win by simply outgunning opponents. They could easily beat the Wild by continuing to score relentlessly or they will be edged out due to a higher focus on defense needed in the playoffs.

[theohall]

Dallas, not saying how many games. We are in a competition after all.

Thing is, down the stretch, without Seguin and a couple of their top 4 D-men, Dallas kept winning pacing the Blues. In their final game, without Seguin or Benn and those same missing D-men, they still beat a Nashville squad featuring mostly kids trying to showoff for next season, because those kids won't get much playing time in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, after the Wild recovered nicely when Yeo was fired, they slid into the playoffs mostly due to a faltering Colorado Avalanche club which couldn't buy a win when they needed one.

Dallas playing well regardless of who is on the ice. Since March 1st 12-4-2 while missing most of their right D.
The Wild backing into the playoffs. Since March 1st - 10-8-1 with no significant injuries.

Dallas wins.

[Toasted Oates]

I could see Minnesota pulling an upset here, but it all hinges on Parise's health. They go as he goes.

[theohall]

Have any of you see this?
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/721509240444207104 We thought the Blues got screwed in Game 2. How about that one shown above actually counting? Ouch!

It goes under the back of the net, hits the goalie and they counted it as a "deflected" off of player goal.

[fargoblues]

Nope, kicked over the top of the net off goalie nothing but (dislodged) net

[Kerfuffle]

I watched game 4 of this series last night - both teams play a much more open ice game than our series. Ours seems to be more defensive minded resulting in very tight games. This Dallas/Wild one last night was much different to watch.

[theohall]

I watched game 4 of this series last night - both teams play a much more open ice game than our series. Ours seems to be more defensive minded resulting in very tight games. This Dallas/Wild one last night was much different to watch.

Which is why neither of these teams will get past the 2nd round. Advancing in the playoffs requires being able to play strong defense and neither of these teams can. Dallas has gotten by out-scoring teams by leading the league in goals scored when their defense was utter crap. Playing like that is going to have either team playing golf after Round 2. Also, there isn't the physical play which is prevalent in the Sharks/Kings, Ducks/Preds, Blues/Blackhawks, and Wings/Lightning series. How will either the Wild or Stars handle a team which is a) more physical and b) better defensively than this current 1st round pansy, no defense matchup? I'm guessing not well.

[glen a richter]

That's why I'd salivate over the possibility of a Blues/Stars series. They're a one dimensional team that should easily be rolled over by any team that plays even a shred of defense.

This said, we'll probably get what I wished for and Dallas magically transforms into a totally different team, sweeping us out of the playoffs.

[Portland Blues]

Dallas showed the killer instinct today - hopefully the Blues watched the game.

[Kerfuffle]

Dallas showed the killer instinct today - hopefully the Blues watched the game.

That was a great game today but I wouldn't call it killer instinct as Dallas barely survived the Wild surge. That 3rd period was unreal.

[Portland Blues]

Dallas showed the killer instinct today - hopefully the Blues watched the game.

That was a great game today but I wouldn't call it killer instinct as Dallas barely survived the Wild surge. That 3rd period was unreal.

"Surviving" looks pretty good after our last couple of performances.

[glen a richter]

So it'll be Stars/Blackhawks round 2? Go Dallas.

[WaukeeBlues]

Dallas showed the killer instinct today - hopefully the Blues watched the game.

That was a great game today but I wouldn't call it killer instinct as Dallas barely survived the Wild surge. That 3rd period was unreal.

Playoffs = Just win and move on. Doesn't matter how. Zero style points in getting to that 4 wins.