The Wild has struggled to score so far in its first-round matchup against the Golden Knights, managing just two goals while earning a split in Vegas.
But Wild coach Dean Evason is sticking with the same lineup when the best-of-seven series continues Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center with Game 3.
"Hopefully by this time of year you know what works," Evason said. "We look at the numbers and we communicate what the eye test tells us, and we like where our group is. We like how our team sets up. It does fit for depth, and hopefully that'll give us a chance to have success going forward."
The minimal offense hasn't been for a lack of try, with the Wild hurling 35 shots at Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury during a 3-1 loss in Game 2. So, the message the coaching staff is sending to the players is keep that push up.
"We had plenty of good opportunities with traffic in front of the net," Evason said. "The bounces just didn't translate. Those are some of the things that we'll reinforce with some video that we are in the right place and we gotta continue to go to the right place.
"You can't play on the perimeter this time of the year. Those goals aren't going to be there. People are committed to blocking out and committed to blocking shots and boxing out. It's so difficult to get to that core area. When you do get there with the commitment level, the puck's gotta arrive there shortly after or at the same time. We'll look to get as many pucks as we possibly can to the net here tonight."
Now that the series has shifted to Minnesota, the Wild will get last change – a chance to have more sway in the in-game matchups.
The team will also have the opportunity to build upon its regular-season success at home, where the Wild went 21-5-2.
