Game 4 preview: Wild at St. Louis
April 19, 2017 at 3:17AM
Trends paint a difficult picture
Preview: The Wild, which has scored three goals in three games, hopes to avoid being swept in a playoff series for the third time in franchise history. Down 3-0 for the fourth time, the Wild extended one series to five games, against Anaheim in 2007. The Blues have not trailed at any point during the series (197 minutes, 48 seconds) and have had the lead for 103:51 (52.5 percent).
Players to watch: Blues G Jake Allen has stopped 114 of 117 shots in the series (.974 save percentage). LW Jaden Schwartz has game-winning goals in the past two games. Defensemen Joel Edmundson and Colton Parayko have as many goals (three) as the Wild has in the series. LW Zach Parise leads the Wild with two goals, F Charlie Coyle has one. C Eric Staal is looking for his first playoff goal since 2009. D Ryan Suter has five penalties, two assists and is minus-2 in the series.
Numbers: The Wild has directed 228 shots at the Blues' net compared with 142 aimed at the Wild net. The Wild's faceoff advantage is 133-89 and hit advantage is 102-70.
Injuries: Wild LW/C Erik Haula (maintenance) is questionable. Blues C Paul Stastny (foot) practiced Tuesday and is questionable. RW Alex Steen (foot) is probable.
Michael Russo
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As the team prepared to face Ottawa, President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin said the injury to the MVP contender isn’t serious.
