Minn. Wild Prepare For Game 6 At Xcel Energy Center
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Wild are trying to put Game 5, and what could have been, in their rear view mirrors Monday night before they head into Game 6 of the series.
The Wild will take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoffs at the Xcel Energy Center 8 p.m. Monday night.
Going into the game, both the Wild and Avalanche are trying to put Saturday's game behind them and focus on the one game ahead.
Colorado believes part of the key is not to understand what's at stake, that a win Monday would close the book on the series, but to just play the game as hard as they can.
"As long as you focus on what you gotta do, and focus on the task at hand and not focus at the big picture, uh, I think we'll be alright," Colorado forward Gabriel Landeskog said. "If you start looking at, you know, 'This is our chance to clinch it and end the series,' there could be some nerves creepin' in."
The "X" factor Monday could be the Xcel Energy Center.
So far in the series each team has won on their home turf.
The Wild believe that when the crowd has strong energy they do as well.
That's been the fuel for their only two wins, but despite a small number of wins don't discount its effect.
If there is a bigger asset that tilts to the Wild, it's that their second and third lines have been better.
"You see any of the teams that have success in the playoffs, they are obviously some of the, uh, deeper teams," Wild forward Kyle Brodziak said.
With home arena advantage and strong second and third line, the Wild hope for a win in Game 6.
