Hello from Xcel Energy Center, where we have spent close to as much time as Michael Russo the past few weekdays.
We'll have a pregame video with Russo posted later, but first let's get down to the business of predictions.
Head coach Mike Yeo has done a nice job setting the tone with this team after the Game 5 disappointment. There didn't appear to be much head-hanging today; instead, the message is clear: what happened is in the past, and Minnesota can't let it dictate the future.
That's easier said than done, but the Wild has been a resilient bunch this season. In fact, we've often seen Minnesota play its best when the season was on the brink (shortly after New Year's and in the first two home games of this playoff series being prime examples).
What bearing does that have on Game 6? Well, perhaps none. Colorado has a chance to close out the series and figures to be sharper and playing with a greater sense of urgency than it did during the first two games at the X. But we say the Wild has earned our trust at this point. Moreover, even though Game 5 didn't go Minnesota's way, the Wild found a good formula by shooting high on both of its third-period goals against Semyon Varlamov.
Games 3 and 4 featured just four goals combined between the teams. Tonight won't be like that. We'll say Wild, 4-2. And we'll say Game 7 in Colorado is a coin flip.
