It's a whole new world as Wild, Blackhawks meet again

The Wild squeaked into the playoffs two years ago and drew an undesirable dance card with the Chicago Blackhawks.

In terms of mismatches, that one was Reagan vs. Mondale. The Blackhawks treated the Wild like a chew toy in coasting to a victory.

"We didn't really have much a chance, to be honest," Zach Parise said.

The Wild earned a rematch in the second round last season and put up a better fight. The gap between the teams had narrowed some, but the Wild still looked like the little brother trying to keep pace with an older sibling.

The Blackhawks sent the Wild home for the summer again.

"We have to find a way to be better," Wild coach Mike Yeo said.

Here's their chance, and Yeo's team looks up to the task this time.

The Wild closed out a playoff series at home for the first time in its existence with a commanding 4-1 victory that revealed all the reasons why the Wild is capable of a deep playoff run.

And why a third consecutive date with the Hawks no longer feels like the team is staring at a barrier it can't breach.

"We've come a long way since then," Parise said after scoring two goals in the clincher. "We like the way we're playing. We like how our guys have developed. We're happy to get another chance."

The Wild hardly resembles the outfit that got thoroughly dismissed by the Blackhawks in 2013. That postseason feels like forever ago in terms of the Wild's expectations, firepower and overall confidence as a team.

The Wild is deeper, faster, more skilled and carries more playoff experience now.

"Nobody is satisfied," Yeo said.

The Blackhawks remain a hurdle the Wild has to clear in its growth process. The Hawks' skill players put so much pressure on the opponent, and they know how to find an extra gear when needed in the postseason. The Wild has to prove that it can rise to that level four times in a series.

The matchup looks like a beauty on paper. Both teams play at Mach speed. Players might need a nap and some oxygen between periods after zooming up and down the ice.

"We feel good about our game," Jason Pominville said, "and it's snowballed through the first round."

The Wild has a quiet confidence that has been building since mid-January when Super-Dubnyk rolled into town.

"We've got four lines that can produce and four lines that can defend," Pominville said. "The teams that have won in recent years pretty much have the same. Hopefully this is the year that we can get past these guys."

These guys, as in the Blackhawks, and the primary reason why the Wild should feel confident is Dubnyk. He gives them a chance to win against any opponent.

The Wild went 0-3 against the Blackhawks without Dubnyk this season and 2-0 with him.

Yes, the playoffs are a different deal and Dubynk is still relatively inexperienced in the postseason. But with the exception of a rare dud in Game 4, he looks comfortable on this big stage.

Dubnyk stopped 66 of 68 shots the final two games to put his Game 4 nightmare to rest.

That's how the Wild looks right now, confident and cohesive. And that's what it will take to avoid a third consecutive playoff loss to the Blackhawks.

But unlike two years ago, the Wild doesn't need a miracle to win.

Chip Scoggins • chip.scoggins@startribune.com