ST. PAUL , Minn. — It was another do-or-die situation for the Wild — and Mike Yeo’s hockey club — didn’t do it. As a result, they’re on the brink of elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Patrick Sharp scored twice, powering the Chicago Blackhawks to a 3-0 win over the Minnesota Tuesday night at Xcel Energy Center. The win gives Chicago a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Sharp’s second goal came just two minutes into the second period — the first shot on third-string goalie Darcy Kuemper, who was thrust into the game after a first-period injury to Josh Harding.
Bryan Bickell also scored for the Blackhawks, as he put a shot past Kuemper midway through the third period.
The Wild had plenty of scoring opportunities, but went 0-for-6 on the power play. For the series, Minnesota has yet to score with a man advantage (0 for 15). They’re the only playoff team — of 16 — to not have a power-play goal in the first round of play.
“Power play. That’s the big story tonight,” Yeo said.
Also: Jason Pominville also returned to the Wild lineup. He missed five games after getting a nasty elbow to the head from L.A.’s Dustin Brown during the regular season.
Up next: Game 5 in Chicago Thursday night.
