Playing the Blues
The Wild and Blues have clashed three times since March 14 and on Thursday open a playoff series against each other for the first time in history.
Wild's all-time record vs. Blues: 25-19-12 (16-7-6 at Xcel Energy Center, 9-12-6 at Scottrade Center).
Wild's record this season vs. Blues: 2-1-1, Wild outscored Blues 13-10.
Playoff appearances: Wild's sixth in 14 years (three in a row, no championships); Blues' 39th in 47 seasons (no championships).
Head-to-head
Nov. 29 at Minnesota — Blues 3, Wild 2 (shootout): Vladimir Tarasenko scored the game's first goal, but Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu scored in the second before David Backes forced overtime with 5:33 left despite the Wild outshooting the Blues 27-12 through two periods. Tarasenko scored the lone shootout goal past Niklas Backstrom.
March 14 at St. Louis — Wild 3, Blues 1: In a game in which the Wild was outshot 32-10 through two periods and 42-19 for the game, Devan Dubnyk made a season-high 41 saves to steal a win. He entered the game 0-7 in his career against the Blues with a 4.72 goals-against average and .843 save percentage.
March 21 at Minnesota — Wild 6, Blues 3: Six players scored for the Wild with former Blues player Chris Stewart, Thomas Vanek, Parise and Jonas Brodin building a 4-0 lead as Brian Elliott was chased from net. The Blues made it a game with Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz cutting the deficit in half, but Justin Fontaine and Koivu stopped the bleeding with goals.
April 11 at St. Louis — Blues 4, Wild 2: In each team's regular-season finale, the Wild rested Koivu, Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon and the Blues rested Backes, T.J. Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Tarasenko had a goal and assist.
MICHAEL RUSSO
