Game 7: The word and the number combine to tingle the spine of any hockey fan. Visions of Pat LaFontaine vs. the Capitals, Stephane Matteau vs. the Devils and, locally, Andrew Brunette vs. the Avalanche quickly come to mind when a winner-take-all game is mentioned.
In Minnesota, the local NHL team playing in a Game 7 hasn't happened often. The Wild, in its 20th season, will play its fourth Game 7 on Friday night in Las Vegas, trying to improve to 4-0 all-time in such contests when it takes on the Golden Knights. The North Stars played 26 seasons in Minnesota and went 3-4 in Game 7s before Norm Green moved the team to Dallas.
Friday's contest marks the Wild's first Game 7 since 2014, and columnist Patrick Reusse is a must-read on the team's Game 7 history.
As for the North Stars and their history, here's a look back at their Game 7s:
1968 NHL quarterfinals, North Stars 9, Los Angeles 4
The Expansion Six joined the Original Six in the 1967-68 season, and the North Stars opened the playoffs by beating the Kings in a back-and-forth series. The home teams won the first six games, and the series shifted to the Forum for the finale. Behind two goals each by Bill Goldsworthy, Milan Marcetta and Parker MacDonald, the Stars rolled in the clincher.
1968 NHL semifinals, St. Louis 2, North Stars 1, 2OT
The North Stars nearly made the Stanley Cup Final, though it should be noted that the playoff format guaranteed an expansion team would face an Original Six squad for the title. That team was St. Louis, which won on Ron Schock's goal 2:50 into the second overtime. Walt McKechnie had given Minnesota 1-0 lead late in the third period before the Blues' Dickie Moore tied it 31 seconds later. "The St. Louis series left some scars that may never heal, but we'll be a better team because of it next year and for years to come,'' North Stars coach Wren Blair told the Minneapolis Tribune.
