The Vladimir Tarasenko show is becoming a problem for the Minnesota Wild, and its something they need to figure out how to shut down if they want to gain a series lead on Friday.
Wild vs. Blues Game 5: Time, TV schedule and how to watch NHL playoffs online
Can the Wild stop Vladimir Tarasenko?
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The first round series between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild reaches Game 5 on Friday, and with the series knotted up at 2-2 the winner will be sitting pretty with a win. Right now it appears the favorite to earn that win is the Blues thanks to their dynamic young winger.
Tarasenko has come into his own in his second career playoff series, torching the Wild in Game 2 with a hat trick and in Game 5 with another two goals. The Russian winger now has six points in just four playoff games, good for third best in the entire playoffs. Minnesota has failed to stop him before, and now trying to stop him at home becomes a more difficult problem.
The good news for the Wild? Even though the Blues are 8-12 in series all-time when tied 2-2, they’ve lost nine of their last 10 series at that point.
Game 5 coverage
9:30 p.m. ET | Game 5, Western Conference Round 1
Scottrade Center | St. Louis, MO
Local: FS-MW, FS-N | Nat'l: NBCSN, SN360
Live stream at NBC Live Extra
More coverage: Blues Blog | Wild Blog
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