TropicalFruitGirl26

Now, now...let's not jump to conclusions. I got her on the treadmill as we speak. She IS trying

Ouch. That goal hurt like that one time this manly chick kicked me in the solar plexus with a round kick during a tourney when I was 16....

Calm down, now... Perhaps the Wild simply let the Klingon walk, and pick up a Romulan in the off season instead, eh?

I know it doesn't matter now because the Wild just have to make due with the players they have out there now, but I keep thinking how different the dynamic of the offense would be with a healthy EEK in there. I know even EEK won't exactly light the scoreboard, but, just having him in there, hitting, agitating, causing chaos in the Dallas zone, and allowing other players to slot better in the lineup, could have made a huge difference. Wonder too, if Minnesota dropped the ball so to speak, rushing him when he wasn't quite ready and now he may be done for the season if the Wild lose here.

Middleton IS being a bit jumpy back there, isn't he? Noticed that too. Surprising, given that he isn't exactly a raw rookie.

Dallas doing pretty much what they want in the Wild defensive zone. Recipe for being down 2-0 if that continues...

Not sure who that was, but a Dallas player came flying in on Gus in the slot area...someone missed an assignment on defense for the Wild....that NEVER happens, right?

That 'crease management' seems about right

True. That goes to what I said about "a star player like him needs to find ways". And in the playoffs, like he learned last year, he won't see nearly the same amount of time and space he is accustomed to. But again, it SURE would be easier if there were other scoring threats in the lineup...at least get Dallas to think about other players other than Kap. He did draw a penalty on Benn doing just what you said though...which is nice. Also, Boldy shooting more earlier. Those two need to do that consistently. Not just the one n done.....or the team WILL BE one n done once again this playoff season!

Oooo look...yet another chance! Wild need to tie the score here. Eventually, these calls will turn!

Yea, and before anyone thinks I am not aware, I realize Kap has been pretty much held off the scoresheet. A star like him SHOULD find ways to get on the board, but that's the thing...Dallas has him locked down like a convict on a 25 to life sentence in a maximum security prison! I guarantee you if Zucc, Boldy, Nyquist...anyone else is producing or at least being legit threats, it would loosed the hold the Stars have on Kap and he wouldn't have to keep facing two or three guys on him every time he touches the puck.

Man, someone other than Kap really does need to step up their offensive game. Even short handed, Kap is being double teamed. that means at least TWO other Wild players should be open! But Dallas doesn't care because no one else is getting anything done with the puck.

I thought someone on Dallas may be screaming about a dive on Johansson's part....he went down kinda funny. But the replay showed he WAS tripped, so good call. And you know what caused that? Attacking the zone! More players should do that!

Isn't that how it usually is? You miss a golden chance at one end...and the other team comes back and scores on you at the other.

Boldy shooting more? More of that please!

Not liking the way Minnesota is handling the puck in their own zone at the start here. Bad things, man...only bad things can come from not handling pucks cleanly!

Alright Wild fans...I am settled in, got my burger and fries (thanks to my hubby who broke out the grill even on this overcast, rainy day!), got out my box of cliches! Time for some Wild hockey, because, tomorrow is not guaranteed! Let's go boys!

TB had to hang on and win ugly, but a win's a win, a win. 3-2 series now, heading home for the Lightning, both teams with big pressure for Game 6.... for TB, in front of the home crowd, and could be sent home for the season... for Toronto to avoid that "oh no, not again" feeling of futility.

Tampa Bay actually hasn't dominated anything like they did in some earlier games, but maybe that is a blessing in disguise as they know, with everything so close, they can't afford to look past the current game, or the Leaves®, and keep their minds on business. That said, if it weren't for Vasilevskiy, this game could be very different. A Vezina quality TB netminder (and some help from the post!), is going a long way towards trying to push this into Game 6!

Nick Paul puts the Eastern Champs up by 2 in the 3rd, with 7:30 to play. Putting some doubt in the mind of Samsonov and Leaves® fans? This Bolts fan can only hope. Yea, yea...the Lightning had a 4-1 lead they coughed up, but I would LIKE to think they learned not to let up on the other team...even if that team hasn't won a damned thing in over half a century...

Leaves® and Lightning trade two quick goals in the opening period. Understandably, the broadcast teams are continually going on and on about how long it's been for Toronto, and truly, these broadcasts almost have a feel like "it's over" already....Toronto has exorcised one big demon. Maybe. Perhaps. Could be. But, I would love it if the defending Eastern Champions put everyone on ice at least one more game and get this thing back to Amalie Arena. Leaves® looking strong, but the Bolts also look like they aren't ready to hit the golf courses yet.

Well, if they ARE the first elimination, it wouldn't surprise me...like I've said many times before....when the Lightning do things, they go big. Come back big, win big.....and fail big too. No wishy washy candy ass in-between crap for those guys.

Panthers stave off elimination. Congrats to them. I hope the Bolts took notes...

I think Jimtown was on to something when he said this is gonna get ugly quickly...

Oh wait...did I say it wasn't so bad? Wild on the short end of another penalty. Somebody left their discipline in the locker room...