A pair of “St. Louis” – “Minnesota” promised a hard fight until the final whistle in the seventh match of the series. But in fact, this confrontation did not give the fans the promised intrigue.

The Savages, having led the series 2-1, lost to the Blues three times in a row. At the same time, in every game, St. Louis managed to get a big victory. And the most important sixth game of the Minnesota series was played as if this meeting did not solve anything.

Could not prove himself in the key game of the season and the leader of the “Wild” Kirill Kaprizov. The Russian spent more time on the ice than any of the “savages”, but in 60 minutes he made only two shots and finished the match with a “-2” utility indicator.

Minnesota Coach’s Desperate Decision

When Minnesota lost Game 5 and was on the verge of elimination, it became clear that the Wild needed to change something. And they managed to surprise, only not the “bluesmen”, but their fans.

Minnesota fans stared in disbelief at the roster for Game 6 against St. Louis. After all, the place at the gate for, perhaps, the last match of the season was taken by Cam Talbot. For the goalkeeper, the match was the first in the current playoffs, and the last time he appeared on the ice was already on April 28.

The decision of the coaching staff looks very strange. Marc-Andre Fleury, although he missed eight goals in the last two games, Minnesota’s defense was to blame for almost all the goals. In addition, Fleury was exchanged in the middle of the season with an eye to the Stanley Cup, expecting a reliable playoff game from an experienced keeper.

Marc-Andre Fleury / Photo: © Bruce Kluckhohn / Contributor / National Hockey League / Gettyimages.com

Therefore, the appearance of a “cold” goaltender at the start of a crucial game is a desperate attempt by Wild head coach Dean Evason to influence the course of the series. And the worst expectations of the Minnesota fans came true in the first period.

Tarasenko for the cup – Whims on vacation

The “savages” could not just say goodbye to the season, where there was a winter classic, where several club records were broken, where there were many bright games. Therefore, the sixth match hockey players “Wild” started very cheerfully. Minnesota looked more active than the opponent and landed almost twice as many shots as St. Louis. However, the “savages” did not manage to score first.

But the “bluesmen” made only four shots in the starting 20 minutes, but that was enough to take the lead. At the end of the period, the defender of “St. Louis” Nick Leddy drove into the zone and opened the scoring with a direct throw. At the same time, the player was alone, surrounded by five Minnesota hockey players, but no one even tried to stop him from attacking the gate. And Talbot had to cope with this task, because the goalkeeper saw the moment of the throw and could easily catch the puck.

After the Wild, they desperately tried to equalize, but each time something was missing in the attack – either after Kaprizov’s cross to the far post there was no one to close the pass, or the Blues goalkeeper would make an amazing save.

“St. Louis” methodically went to the second round. And in the middle of the second period, Ryan O’Reilly converted the majority. At the same time, the player of the “bluesmen” again shot at the gate without resistance.

A few minutes later, Tyler Bozak, with the transfer of Alexei Toropchenko, increased the lead of the Blues and finally upset the Minnesota fans. Well, Vladimir Tarasenko’s goal at the end of the period finished off the Wild fans and removed all questions about the winner. Tarasenko, on the other hand, holds the playoffs with shock – the leader of the “bluesmen” recorded his fifth goal in the Stanley Cup.

Photo: © REUTERS / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

In the final 20-minutes, Minnesota still won one goal – Matt Damba scored from the transfer of Dmitry Kulikov, but even the most devoted fans of the “savages” did not believe in a possible comeback.

In the end, the head coach of the Wild removed the goalkeeper in the hope of a miracle, but this decision did not give the public an unexpected result. The output of the sixth field at the “savages” ended predictably – the forward of the “bluesmen” Colton Paraiko sent the puck into the empty.

As a result, “St. Louis” won the sixth match – 5:1 and in the series “4-2”. Perhaps the key factor in the loss of the “savages” in the decisive meeting was the castling of goalkeepers. But you can’t beat the Blues with just one goal. Yes, and the “Minnesota” Whims today had far from the best match. Two shots on target and a utility indicator of -2 – this was not the game expected from the leader of the Wild. But Minnesota fans will not scold their favorites, the team really had a good season.

The “savages” have a young team that will still show itself, but this is next year, but for now, Whims on vacation – Tarasenko for the second Stanley Cup.