Vladimir Tarasenko scored an absolutely filthy goal during Wild comeback against Avs in Game 1

If anyone was expecting the Minnesota Wild to come into their series against Colorado with a hangover, they were sorely mistaken. Make no mistake, there was some truly ugly hockey played in Game 1, but the Wild turned in some beautiful moments along the way.

One of those was Vladimir Tarasenko turning back the clock for a vintage goal in the second period. It was part of an — avalanche — of goals the Wild scored to erase a Colorado lead that seemed to have put the game away early.

Tarasenko had other ideas, though.

Minnesota was down 3-0 at one point, but rattled off five goals before the third period even started. What should have been an easy win for the Avs quickly became the Wild proving that they can hang with the best team in hockey under the brightest lights.

Let’s not gloss over Tarasenko hitting the Forsberg in Colorado, which makes it even sweeter.

The Wild picking themselves up off the mat after getting flattened right out of the gate by the Avs is just as sweet. It’s the sort of fight we haven’t seen in this team before and it’s the surest sign yet that Minnesota didn’t burn through all of its fuel in a hard-fought first round series against Dallas.

If anything, it hardened the Wild. That was a test that could have drained Minnesota but Game 1 dispelled that notion in a pretty significant way. Tarasenko wasn’t the only player who stepped up but it says a lot that he was one of five different Wild players who scored and made an impact. Matt Boldy and Quinn Hughes have been obvious stars for Minnesota but Tarasenko’s veteran leadership and skill is something that is exactly what the team brought him in for over the offseason.

Game 1 proved we’re in for an intense series, and the more guys like Tarasenko step up the better Minnesota’s chances are of coming out of things alive.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow