Checking in with Mike Doyle: Wild v Blackhawks in Game 4
May 07, 2015
Mike Doyle is the official reporter for the Minnesota Wild, and the writer of the team's "View from the Lighthouse" blog. He stopped in to The Current's Morning Show to talk about the Wild's playoff run with Jill Riley and Sean McPherson.
Tonight is game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Blackhawks holding a 3-game lead in the playoff series, the Wild face possible elimination should they lose tonight's game. "As bad as it looks, the Wild at times have outplayed the Hawks," Doyle says. "I think the Wild are excited to get back and show there's a reason they've made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs and to the second round."
Doyle says the Blackhawks pose a particular challenge, given the teams' divisional rivalry and a history of Chicago successes in postseason play. The Wild players are now focusing on not forcing chances. "They've realized they need to be a little bit smarter with the puck, be a little more patient and let the game come to them rather than trying to force it," Doyle says.
Although coming back from a three-game deficit in a playoff series seems insurmountable, Doyle points out that among the sports that play seven-game series — hockey, baseball and basketball — a four-game comeback sweep is most likely in the NHL. "It's happened four times in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs," Doyle says.
The Wild also have a determination to prove themselves. "If there's a team that knows how to deal with adversity and bounce back, I think it's the Wild," Doyle says.
Listen to the complete interview to hear more about the Minnesota Wild as they head into game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Tonight's game begins at 8:30 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.