Wild vs. Stars - Official GDT - 4/10/2011 Final game of 2010-11 season

Wild vs. Stars post-game report and more!

Wild finishes season with playoff dagger to Dallas in emotional 5-3 win at home

Written by Derek Felska | 10 April 2011

As I was watching the NCAA Men's Final between the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the University of Michigan it sort of dawned on me about halfway through the 3rd period, this game was going to be the last game played in the Xcel Energy Center until next fall's pre-season match ups. No more high school hockey, no more college hockey, and now after today no more NHL hockey in this state. Obviously there are the playoffs to watch but it isn't quite the same. It has been a long 2010-11 season, with plenty of ups and downs; and while the bad taste from the conclusion of this season will likely linger into the summer there have been some good signs. I will probably write about that later this week. However, a game played earlier today between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings turned this game between Dallas and the Wild from a 'who cares' rubber match to a game with some pretty serious implications. The Blackhawks lost 4-3 and that means their playoff chances hang on the outcome of today's game. If Dallas wins this game in regulation or in overtime it goes to the playoffs, if the Wild win or force a shootout no matter the outcome the Blackhawks go to the playoffs. For the 2nd year in a row the playoffs hang on the last game of the regular season, unfortunately its not the Wild playing for its chance at the post-season. Last year, if you remember it came down to a shootout between the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Flyers prevailed and came within two games of winning a Stanley Cup in the process. It is literally the last regular season game in the NHL, can it be staged any better than this? The Wild just got a huge new array of fans as Chicagoans are now rooting heavily for Minnesota to pull off the improbable upset.

The Wild have a great opportunity to change the face off the playoffs, but do they really want to? The Wild at this point are looking forward to rest and relaxation as well as the NHL Entry Draft which will be here in late June. Being bad will give the team its best chance at landing a quality player in the first round. So do the Wild roll over take the loss to help their chances in the draft or do they relish the role of spoiler and do whatever they can to deny the Dallas Stars of its prize? (click on the link for the rest of the article)

I don't care if this hurt the Wild's draft position, it was a statement game. This team showed heart, despite all the injuries and took a game away from a team that literally had everything to lose. There is an Aeros update from their final regular season game played today. In addition there is a Darcy Kuemper update that will make you cringe. Enjoy!

I should also mention I have a new poll you can vote at, enjoy!

glad to see them put forth a solid effort and say F-U to Dallas

While I enjoy the win, it sucks Chicago got in because of it.

Kevin W wrote:

While I enjoy the win, it sucks Chicago got in because of it.

Sorry, anytime you can knock the Stars out of the playoffs is a good time!