The Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild, has plenty of atmosphere. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

What’s the best place to watch an NHL game?

According to Stadium Journey magazine, Minnesota’s Xcel Energy Center was tops in 2013.

The magazine ranked the overall fan experience of attending a game in all of the league’s 30 buildings. Factoring into its decisions were elements such as “food and beverage in the arena, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood, the fans, access (which includes parking, traffic, restrooms, and concourses), return on investment, and an extras category for any unique or bonus points.”

So, why did Xcel top the charts? “The fans know the game and appreciate the little things, such as clearing the puck on the penalty kill, or a good defensive play to prevent a scoring chance. That is what gives the Xcel a truly special atmosphere.”

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Marian Hossa scored two goals to ease the Blackhawks past the Wild in Game 5. (Bill Smith/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

The Chicago Blackhawks are a finished product, an elite-level club ready to challenge for the Stanley Cup. The Minnesota Wild are a work-in-progress, a team headed in the right direction, but still trying to figure out how to get to where the Hawks are today.

Their first round series was a mismatch on paper. It turned out to be a mismatch on the ice as well. With a chance to eliminate a lesser opponent Thursday night, the Hawks did what good teams do: They took care of business, dispatching the Wild with a convincing 5-1 win that closed out the series in five games and sent the Stanley Cup favorites to the second round.

Marian Hossa had a pair of goals for the winners. Torry Mitchell had the lone goal for the Wild, who are left to clear out their lockers and consider the value of this learning experience.

Here are some observations on the series clincher:

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After proving he’s a bona fide workhorse No. 1, Ryan Suter will be tough to beat. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

This morning, the NHL announced the three finalists for this year’s Norris Trophy, given annually to “the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position,” as chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. And not one of them was named Lidstrom, Chara or Weber.

In fact, all three of this year’s nominees — Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang, Montreal’s P.K. Subban and Minnesota’s Ryan Suter — are first-timers. A signal of a changing of the guard among the league’s elite blueliners? That’s never a bad thing. All three deserve the recognition.

So, who’s going to win it?

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Jason Zucker (16) scored from a sharp angle in overtime to pull Minnesota within one game of Chicago. (Getty Images)

By Brian Cazeneuve

It’s been a rough stretch for Minnesota Wild goaltenders. Before Game 1 in Chicago, starter Niklas Backstrom suffered a lower body injury that led coach Mike Yeo to call on backup Josh Harding, who had spent two months on injured reserve during the regular season while adjusting to medication for multiple sclerosis. Harding had only played five games, posting modest numbers (1-1-0, .863, 3.24), but he performed heroically that night, stopping 35-of-37 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks. The Wild could have won that one if  winger Jason Zucker’s shot hadn’t hit the crossbar in overtime.

On Sunday, fortune finally smiled on Harding (and Zucker), though at first it looked like more bad breaks were in store. Harding, who had been strafed by 47 shots in Minnesota’s 5-2 loss in Game 2, took a puck to the shoulder during warmups and left his crease for a time, but he was able to start and he played well. This time, the outcome was more fortunate as Minnesota got back into the series with a 3-2 win thanks to Zucker’s clutch goal in OT.

Some thoughts and observations on the game: Read More…

Chicago goalie Corey Crawford stood firm against Zach Parise and the Wild in Game 2. (Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

The Chicago Blackhawks needed more than a win against the Minnesota Wild Friday night. They needed to prove, to themselves if no one else, that they could correct the mistakes that permeated their play in the series opener.

Chances are they’re feeling a lot better after Game 2.

The Hawks fired 77 shots toward Wild goalie Josh Harding. They pursued the puck relentlessly. They took full advantage of their speed and creativity. And they made Minnesota’s top players look like overmatched Pee Wees in a decisive 5-2 win.

Here are four key takeaways from the game:

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Jonathan Quick had a bead on the puck here, but his giveaway in overtime cost L.A. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

News, notes and observations from the April 30 NHL postseason action:

St. Louis Blues 2, Los Angeles Kings 1 (OT)

Somehow, this game was there for the Los Angeles Kings to win. Despite being outmuscled, outhustled and outscored through the first 59 minutes by the St. Louis Blues, the defending champs got a goal from Justin Williams in the final minute to tie it up, then dominated the early going in overtime. And when St. Louis defender Kevin Shattenkirk earned a double minor for high sticking Dustin Penner, it seemed like just a matter of time before L.A. would earn its ninth consecutive win against the Blues.

GAME 1: Recap | Boxscore | Highlights | Complete postseason schedule

Instead, a simple zone clear was fumbled by Kings goalie Jonathan Quick behind his net, allowing Alexander Steen an easy wraparound into the empty cage and giving the Blues a 2-1 win and 1-0 series lead.

Here are some key takeaways from the contest:

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Losing Niklas Backstrom deals a huge blow to Minnesota’s already slim chances of taking down the Blackhawks. (Chris Humphreys/US Presswire)

By Allan Muir

Breaking story in Chicago, where Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom has left the ice during pre-game warm-ups. Renaud Lavoie of RDS is saying it is because of injury, which would put his start in jeopardy. If he can’t go, the Wild will have to turn to backup Josh Harding.

UPDATE: Backstrom is out, Harding is in. It will be his first start since Jan. 30, when he allowed two goals on four shots, lasting less than seven minutes against these same Blackhawks. Harding played twice in Houston over the past 10 days, going 1-1 with a .918 save percentage. He hasn’t seen NHL playoff action since a relief appearance in 2008.

Michael Russo reports that Backstrom apparently tweaked something when he reached back to grab a rebound during the warmup. Here’s video of the incident:

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Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks went 2-1-0 against the Wild during the season. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

By Brian Cazeneuve

EAST PREVIEWS: Pens-Islanders | Canadiens-Senators | Capitals-Rangers | Bruins-Leafs

WEST PREVIEWS: Hawks-Wild | Ducks-Red Wings | Canucks-Sharks | Blues-Kings

Regular-season recaps

Jan. 30: Wild 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO)

March 5: Blackhawks 5, Wild 3

April 9: Blackhawks 1, Wild 0

Notable injuries

Blackhawks: G Ray Emery (lower body, day-to-day); C Dave Bolland (groin injury, day-to-day)

Wild: RW Jason Pominville (head, day-to-day); RW Dany Heatley (shoulder surgery, out for season)

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By Allan Muir

Here’s the problem with leaving your playoff fate in the hands of another team: Anything can happen.

Usually that means the other team that’s battling you for a spot draws on its own desperation to win and knock you out. Or the team they’re playing might not be fully inspired to carry your flag.

And sometimes the game can be taken out of their hands completely.

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By Allan Muir

There’s nothing wrong with a player protecting himself. Brendan Shanahan pretty much called it an inalienable right in the video explaining defensive contact to the head that the league released just a couple of weeks back.

But, as with most things, there’s a right way to go about it and a wrong way. And dissuading an opponent by leading with your elbow, Gordie Howe-style? Yeah, that’s going to get you hauled in front of Sheriff Shanny, a man who is unlikely to accept a plea of “old-time hockey.”

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