Wild’s Devin Setoguchi: Playoffs leave no room for error

I t’s a well-worn concept, one that Devin Setoguchi has heard and repeated dozens of times in his NHL career. In the playoffs, every shift can be the one that makes the difference in the game.

He doesn’t find that daunting, not even with the Wild in a 2-0 hole in its first-round series against Chicago. Actually, Setoguchi said, it is exhilarating — and that thought will linger in his head Sunday, when the Wild faces the Blackhawks in Game 3 at Xcel Energy Center. After coming up short in most areas of their game in Friday’s 5-2 loss, Setoguchi and his teammates spent Saturday identifying where they fell short and seeking remedies.

The Wild hopes to do a better job of getting pucks behind the Blackhawks’ defense; maintaining possession of the puck in Chicago’s zone for longer periods; protecting its goaltender; and playing a grinding, physical game to try and slow Chicago’s swift attack. Coming home, Setoguchi said, will give the team an emotional boost. But his playoff experience has shown him that the Wild will need to pump up its internal drive, too.

“So many little things can make a difference,’’ said Setoguchi, who scored the Wild’s first goal in Friday’s loss. “You need to play flawless hockey. That’s the way it has to be. And I think that makes it more exciting.

“You have to be engaged mentally and physically. This time of year is the fun time, when you want to play. We’re still looking for that first (win), but we know what we need to do. We need to raise our game.’’

via Wild’s Setoguchi: Playoffs leave no room for error | StarTribune.com.