Wild Need Another Big Game From Spurgeon

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- To win Game 2, the Minnesota Wild are going to need to get more of what they got from Jared Spurgeon in Game 1.

With Clayton Stoner and Niklas Backstrom out, that's not one but two reasons for the other defensemen to raise their game.

The Wild blocked 21 shots in Game 1 -- Spurgeon had seven of them, and both are Wild playoff records.

"I'm not exactly sure how to explain it, but if you're able to block a shot, it can help the team," Spurgeon said.

It was Spurgeon's first playoff game, but the fact he played like a seasoned vet was because he felt like one.

"We had a nice run in the playoffs in the AHL and went all the way to the finals," he said.

And whether or not Backstrom's back, Spurgeon expects to keep playing the same.

"We have great confidence in both our goaltenders," he said. "No matter who's in net, we're going to play the same."

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