To secure first series win, Wild need to score first goal in Game 4
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- In the aftermath of the Minnesota Wild's Game 3 loss Tuesday night, Zach Parise didn't have many words to explain the defeat, how to beat Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford or the task of facing an elimination game on Thursday.
Like the rest of the Wild, the usually talkative Parise had short answers in the postgame dressing room, the frustration of another series gone sour against the Blackhawks apparent on every player's face.
A day later, Parise was more expansive. He was able to crack a smile with defenseman Jared Spurgeon as they passed each other to and from a press conference podium.
"I think we all were," said Parise of the despondent feeling after Game 3's 1-0 loss. "It was a frustrating way to end that game, which I thought we played pretty good to not have anything to show for it. It was tough and frustrating, but that's over now and we'll try to get the next one."
Parise and the Wild tried to turn the page on Wednesday. Center Kyle Brodziak used the word "daunting" to describe what's ahead as Minnesota trails the best-of-seven series 3-0. The answer, much in the way the Wild have played since their season was on the brink in mid-January, was focusing only on one game.
After all, despite the obstacle ahead, one game is all that matters.
"I think you try to avoid looking at it as we're down 3-0 and just try to worry about one thing, and that's tomorrow's game," Brodziak said. "You don't want to look at the big picture at this time right now. I think it's important for us to come to the rink tomorrow to try to win one hockey game."
Minnesota returned to the rink trying to discover a way to turn the tide in the series, while alleviating the pressure that comes with an elimination game.
With playoff nemesis Chicago on the other side, the mental burden becomes even tougher to overcome. This was the year things were supposed to be different after the Wild had lost to the Blackhawks in the playoffs the past two years.
"I think the past couple years, maybe we came into this series a little more intimidated, facing the Stanley Cup champs," Brodziak said. "I think we felt that this year was going to be different, the way we were playing and the confidence level we had. Things haven't worked out for the first couple games, but we've got to learn from it and, like I said, just try to win one game."
If the mental hurdle wasn't big enough against the Blackhawks, Minnesota has been in comeback mode throughout the series.
Chicago has scored first in every game. The Wild eventually tied Game 1 but they have one goal in the past two games against Crawford.
In its first home game of the series, Minnesota started strong on Tuesday night but couldn't score. Patrick Kane then took advantage of an opportunity for the game's only goal in the first period.
"I wouldn't say last night it was as if we gave up that first goal and it was that 'Here we go again,'" Parise said. "In our minds, it wasn't something that we couldn't overcome. We had some great pushes and looks. But the first goal, it's always nice and it's always important."
Head coach Mike Yeo said the Wild "started to get a little bit impatient" after not breaking through early against Crawford.
Minnesota controlled the play early, and Chicago didn't have a shot on goal until 5:49 had passed. Meanwhile the Wild had scoring chances go for naught.
"It didn't go in, and I think we changed," forward Matt Cooke said. "We panicked, we worry too much about scoring the first goal and started to take chances which led to us not playing Minnesota Wild hockey, which then brings into frustration."
The pressure mounts with a shortage of goals and Minnesota facing elimination.
"We're in a tough spot and it's about going out tomorrow and winning that first period, and if it's tied after the first, winning the second," Parise said. "We all want to get that goal and we all want to make that difference, but I think we need to just be patient and let it come to us. That'll help us. Not try to win the game in the first 10 minutes and not try to erase a 3-0 deficit in the first 10 minutes. That's not going to happen. Win shifts, win periods and hopefully that'll translate to winning games."
Yeo's focus Wednesday was preparing his team and making sure each player is ready for Thursday.
"That's a really important part of it because everybody has their own way of dealing with things and everybody has their own motivation and everybody reacts differently," Yeo said. "Some people react really well to pressure and some people it has the opposite effect. So figuring out what is the best way to get everybody in the right frame of mind is absolutely 100 percent part of it."
The motivation is easy.
"To me there are two things -- I hate the word -- I've never been swept, and I don't think our players have," Yeo said. "That's pretty motivating in itself. Motivation is not part of it. We wouldn't even be here if we didn't have that kind of pride. How we approach it right now is what matters most. For me, I'm just doing everything I can to make sure that our guys are ready. I'm ready to coach the best game that I can tomorrow."
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