The Wild-Blues playoff series was billed as a contrast of styles: speed vs. physical play.
It was no contest on Monday night.
The Wild used its superior speed to frustrate the Blues and make them look slow in a 3-0 victory in Game 3 at Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild won Games 1 and 3 decisively by dictating its desired pace. The Blues' physical play hasn't been much of a factor at all so far in the series, outside of the first period in Game 2.
The Wild took control of Monday's game with a dominating second period. The scoring started when Mikael Granlund blew past Vladimir Tarasenko along the wall that led to a tap-in goal by Jason Pominville.
Zach Parise outworked Jay Bouwmeester for the puck in the slot on his goal to make it 2-0.
That play crystalized the night for both teams. The Wild looked more determined, more desperate and quicker to pucks all game long.
The Blues looked deflated by the Wild's speed.
The Blues managed only 10 shots through two periods and resorted to pushing and extracurricular nonsense after the whistle in the second period.
