Minnesota Wild

Managed to snaffle a piece of 33s a few games after they signed Dubnyk, & they suddenly looked a different team. The Blues really have run into a one here, they've been fantastic all year, loaded with talent and they draw this nightmare from the depths of the seeds.

The Wild remind me of the Kings a few years ago, garbage most of the year, suddenly click and sneek into the play-offs, and then trashed #1 VAN in the 1st round on the way to lifting the cup.

Yeah, there top line can go with anyone, they have some decent depth and have usually played a physical brand of hockey.  They've only got to beat the Blues then Blackhawks then Ducks and their in the stanley cup.  If they roll the Blues I'll certainly be watching their 2nd round match-up with the Blackhawks closely.

I wouldnt disagree with anyone who fancies the Wild, their home crowd are also a huge advantage. This is a real hockey area going back to the days of the North Stars.

My one reservation would be if Dubnyk started cooling, but my tips, the Blues will be doing well to get through this series, they seem unable to cope with the natural speed of Minnesota. There's definitely no team in the West who'd look forward to meeting, or would underestimate the Wild.

The playoffs often through up a team from left field and they could definitely be this years.

"They've only got to beat the Blues then Blackhawks then Ducks and their in the stanley cup"

Yeah.....about that....