Wilderness Walk: Last Chance Edition

On a night where the Wild would outwork their opponent, hold a clear shots advantage, score the first goal, and take the lead twice, a win would have been a more likely outcome than what happened, but the Wild couldn't hold serve against the Stars and head to Dallas for the first of 1 to 3 do or die, make or break, win or go home games.  Their backs now pinned against the wall, we will get to see what fortitude they have to carry them through the game(s).  The team would tease us with golden opportunities in the final two minutes and even draw the ultra-rare 4 minute high sticking double minor that never seems to be called in the Wild's favor.  But ultimately, they couldn't finish to tie the game with nearly 90 seconds of 6-on-4 to close the period.

Changes are bound to happen in a lineup that will not have the luxury of last change in a hostile American Airlines Center.  We'll keep breaking things down as we all get ready for Friday.  Here's a little ditty from Mike Doughty that sums up my view of this series.  We walk,

Wild News

Penalty kill fails Wild in Game 4 loss to Stars, face elimination Friday - StarTribune.com
Wild can't solve Dallas PP

Vanek talks about injury; Goalie change for Dallas; Torchetti on why Gabriel played, Prosser and Dumba's ice time - StarTribune.com
Vanek on the comeback trail

Minnesota Wild's John Torchetti speaks his own language
And he nevah stahps talking.

Scoggins: Wild now has full attention from Dallas - StarTribune.com
From lifeless to hellbent hockey in a flick of a switch, the Wild encapsulated its entire season — and its strange personality — in a Game 3 about-face against the Dallas Stars. So what happens now?

Koivu on Game 4's challenge: 'We've got to keep building this thing' - StarTribune.com
Mikko Koivu's urgent Game 3 effort gave Wild teammates a needed emotional lift, something they'll have to repeat and then some Wednesday night against the Stars at the X.

Behind Enemy Lines

WCQF Game 3 Afterwords: Is There Cause for Optimism in Humiliation? - Defending Big D
It was pretty for a little while until it was very much not pretty for a longer while.

In Dallas, old-school coach Ruff relates well to younger players - StarTribune.com
In a league where coaches are hired to be fired within a few seasons, Lindy Ruff spent 15 years coaching the Buffalo Sabres before coming to Dallas in 2013.

Tending The Fields

Iowa call-up Kurtis Gabriel thrilled about being in playoffs with Wild - StarTribune.com
Kurtis Gabriel is not taking anything for granted but knows he feels comfortable that John Torchetti, his old Iowa coach, is at the helm during this most recent call up to the Wild.

Off The Trail

Blackhawks' Andrew Shaw throws embarrassing tantrum in loss - CBSSports.com
Blackhawks on the brink of elimination as Crawford and Shaw melt down

Blackhawks don't have their usual depth, and it shows - Sportsnet.ca
We wonder: can the Chicago Blackhawks look at this corps and tell themselves they’ve got the kind of blue line that can win four rounds?

Andrew Shaw on if he said homophobic slur: 'I don't know what I said' - Sportsnet.ca
Andrew Shaw appeared to use a homophobic slur in the penalty box late in Game 4 against the Blues. After the game, he couldn't remember what he said.

Corey Crawford roughs up Blues’ Robby Fabbri after collision (Video) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: In the second period, Robby Fabbri crashed into Crawford on a scoring attempt, and Crawford didn’t appreciate it.

Should Kris Letang be suspended for this vicious stick swing? - Sportsnet.ca
Kris Letang didn't just score an insurance goal to help the Pittsburgh Penguins top the New York Rangers 3-1 Tuesday night, he also may have gotten himself suspended.

Five things we learned in the NHL: Drouin electric - Sportsnet.ca
The Tampa Bay Lightning took a commanding series lead, the Pittsburgh Penguins jumped back out on top of the Rangers, the Ducks won their first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs while the Blues endured the Blackhawks.