If the Minnesota Wild are to make any statement this season they need to make one against the Chicago Blackhawks.
And they did not make it Sunday in a 4-2 loss to the Hawks.
It was not for lack of trying as Corey Crawford made 42 saves for the win.
“That’s a fun game,” Crawford said. “It’s always fun to play in those games that are fast-paced and the crowd’s into it. Those are way more fun than if it’s just chippy and nothing’s going on.”
Chicago is now within one point of the first place Wild in the Central.
Minnesota went 1-2- against the Hawks this season.
“We’ve got to find a way to capitalize and bury a few of those [scoring chances],” Minnesota’s Eric Staal said. “If we did, I feel like it would have been lopsided the other way.”
Chicago snapped a two-game slide on goals from Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Marian Hossa.
Staal and Mikael Granlund were the Wild goal scorers.
WATCH: All Wild vs. Blackhawks highlights
Devan Dubnyk got the start for the Wild but was pulled after Panarin had scored for the Hawks.
“It was on him,” Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau said. “You follow a goalie for 68 games, you sort of know his traits and his trends. He didn’t look like he was following the puck well for want of a better term.”
Darcy Kuemper entered the game in relief and made 18 saves.
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