Wild looking to avoid playoff elimination in Thursday’s game

KSTP Staff KSTP

Thursday night is do-or-die for the Minnesota Wild – and they’ll have to win on the road to keep their postseason hopes alive.

During Tuesday’s Game 5, the Wild got off to a hot start with Kirill Kaprizov scoring two goals – but that was it on offense, and it wasn’t enough, as the Wild fell 5-2.

Over the span of five games in this series, the winner has always scored at least four goals.

There’s no saying whether that kind of offense is going to be needed to win in St. Louis, but Minnesota’s head coach says a big key will be staying positive with their backs against the wall.

“Our belief is strong,” said coach Dean Evason. “We know we’re a good hockey club. We know we’re still playing hockey. We have a chance to win Game 6 and that is our focus.”

Minnesota did win Game 3 on the road, so fans hope they can do it again.

If the Wild does win, Game 7 would be played in St. Paul this Saturday. A puck drop time will be released for that game at a later time, if the game is needed.

Thursday’s puck drop is for 8:30 p.m. – check for highlights on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Whoever wins the best of seven series will advance to play the Colorado Avalanche, who just swept the Nashville Predators and became the first team to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs.

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