Dater: Observations From Game 2, Avs-Wild; Hynes panicked

Normalcy returns

The scoring came even quicker in Game 2 than the 9-6 Game 1, sending the hearts of those who bet the over soaring. While the over still won the night, that was thanks mostly to the Avalanche, in their 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.

Also, thanks are due to Wild coach John Hynes, whose panicky replacement of Game 1 starter Jesper Wallstedt almost certainly had a deflating effect on his players. Replacing a starter after two or three bad games is fine, and welcomed by teammates looking for a boost. It’s almost never good after one bad game only.

It automatically creates instability in a locker room, and that’s not at all what you want in the playoffs.