Despite dropping Game 1, the Wild won't make any changes to its lineup for Game 2 Friday against the Jets at Bell MTS Place.
That means it'll be up the group that was outshot 40-20 Wednesday in the 3-2 loss make that discrepancy shrink.
"Get more zone time and play better," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "That's the way you close gaps like that."
While the lopsided shot count certainly suggests the Wild needs to amplify its pressure in the offensive zone, the 40 shots-against wasn't a difficult workload for goalie Devan Dubnyk, as he was solid in a 37-save effort.
"It's really good that he's looked that good," Boudreau said. "We've needed him, but he's dialed in. The third goal tipped. There wasn't much he could do. Everything he was seeing he was stopping."
Although he left the game briefly Wednesday, center Joel Eriksson Ek said he was "all good" after absorbing a hefty shoulder check from Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.
"It was a good hit," Eriksson Ek said. "That's playoff hockey."
He didn't end up on the scoresheet, but Eriksson Ek made his presence known in the Jets' end. He had a team-high four shots in Game 1 and was tough on the puck – even after getting leveled by Byfuglien.
And Eriksson Ek's experience from last year's playoff – he logged three games in the first-round series against the Blues – seems to be helping him assert himself this season.
"Of course it helps," he said. "I know what to expect from last year. It's a different kind of game compared to the regular season, so it helps to have a couple games under your belt."
Projected Wild lineup:
Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Mikael Granlund
Jason Zucker-Eric Staal-Nino Niederreiter
Jordan Greenway-Matt Cullen-Charlie Coyle
Marcus Foligno-Joel Eriksson Ek-Daniel Winnik
Jonas Brodin-Matt Dumba
Carson Soucy-Jared Spurgeon
Nick Seeler-Nate Prosser
Devan Dubnyk
Projected Wild lineup:
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers-Paul Stastny-Patrik Laine
Jack Roslovic-Bryan Little-Joel Armia
Andrew Copp-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev
Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba
Joe Morrow-Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Chiarot-Tyler Myers
Connor Hellebuyck
Key Wild numbers:
12: Career playoff goals for winger Zach Parise, tied for most in Wild franchise history.
37: Saves for goalie Devan Dubnyk in Game 1 tied his playoff career high.
30:03: Ice time for defenseman Matt Dumba in Game 1, a playoff career high.
25: Points in the postseason for captain Mikko Koivu.
2-8: The Wild's all-time record in Game 2 of a series.
Key Jets numbers:
39: Hits by the Jets in Game 1.
10: Straight home wins for Winnipeg.
1: Power-play goal by the Jets in two chances Wednesday.
40: Shots on goal in Game 1 compared to 20 for the Wild.
53: Seconds in which the Jets trailed in Game 1.
Latest on the Jets:
Winger Mathieu Perreault is a game-time decision after leaving Game 1 with an upper-body injury. If he doesn't play, look for winger Jack Roslovic to draw into the lineup. Roslovic appeared in 31 games during the regular season, chipping in five goals and 14 points. Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice expects Game 2 to be faster than Game 1. "They'll move the puck better, and so will we to kind of get into the rhythm of the series," Maurice said.