NHL Predictions: Will the Wild avoid a 2-0 deficit vs

Heading to St. Louis down 2-0 is absolutely not where the Wild wants to be, so finding ways to beat Allen tonight is of the utmost importance.

The St. Louis net minder turned away all 43 shots that he had faced in the game and was well on his way to giving the Blues a 1-0 lead in the series.

Jason Zucker had a breakaway in the first period after exiting the box for his slashing penalty, but his errant pass to a streaking Eric Staal was fumbled along with a scoring chance as good as any of the dozens they generated in Game 1 while outshooting the Blues an overwhelming 52-26.

Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko was quiet most of the night until he spun past Mikko Koivu, drove into a crowd and lost control. Allen stopped 51 shots on Wednesday, only allowing in a goal from Zach Parise late in the third period.

The end result seemed freaky when you factor in things like this: Charlie Coyle was one of four Wild players with at least six shots on net, and one of his best opportunities came from the slot in overtime. In spite of the end result, it's the Blues and not the Wild that needs to make adjustments before Game 2. Both goalies made saves left and right throughout the period, taking us to the final minute of the period. "They recognize that we protect the middle of the ice pretty well, and they're trying to create from the outside". Even during the very bad March slump, there was never a question as to whether or not the Wild would make the playoffs, but now it's suddenly trailing in a playoff series. The Wild pulled goalie Devan Dubnyk, giving them an extra attacker. "That's the thing: We can't just rely on Jake to have a performance like that".

Nearly every skater in the Wild's lineup had a prime opportunity to score, and only Zach Parise did.

That sequence was a little lucky, but Allen showed plenty of skill. Another difference was a steep drop in shots on goal by the Wild.

"Phenomenal performance. That's about all I can say, against a team that really challenges you", said current Blues and former Wild head coach Mike Yeo, who didn't have to say that he relished the Game 1 victory in his former home arena.

Yeo took his place behind the podium after the game, fully expectant that the first question would be about Allen.

Edmundson accomplished that feat, too, on the heels of his one-timer on Wednesday night that gave the Blues the first game.

It took one game for this to become a playoff series. This was his ninth time in the playoffs in nine full seasons.

That being said, the Blues did what they had to do to win a playoff game in the other team's building. Bortuzzo (upper body injury), who missed Game 1 and the last five games of the regular season, replaced rookie Jordan Schmaltz. This was the 17th overtime for the Wild in 64 postseason games.

Though it's still early in the series, this is a pivotal game for Bruce Boudreau and the Wild. That is how you win a playoff series.