The Wild is not the only Western Conference favorite to struggle in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Blackhawks, the conference's top team at the end of the regular season, trail Nashville 3-0 in their series after Monday's 3-2 overtime loss. The disappointing start has stunned Blackhawks fans and led local media to consider that this may be the end of an era of dominance for the franchise.
If the Blackhawks are eliminated, it will be their second straight knockout in the first round of the playoffs. They lost to St. Louis is seven games last season.
Hockey fan Ryan Boyd tweeted: "Never thought the Blackhawks would be down 3-0."
Boyd is not alone. Just a week ago, the Blackhawks had 4-to-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup. Now they are one game from elimination. Chicago failed to score in each of the first two games and blew a two-goal lead Monday. Game 4 is Thursday night in Nashville.
JASON GONZALEZ
