Surging Wild looking for playoff breakthrough against battle-tested Blackhawks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, right, celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Nashville Predators 4-3 in Game 6 of an NHL Western Conference hockey playoff series Saturday, April 25, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)
The Minnesota Wild are in the second round for the second straight postseason, and standing in the way are the Chicago Blackhawks — their usual playoff roadblock.
The two played five games in 2013, a speed bump in Chicago's run to the Stanley Cup title. They played six games in 2014, a more difficult challenge for the Blackhawks but a series Minnesota eventually lost.
Game 1 this time is Friday night in Chicago.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With a deep group of forwards and goalie Devan Dubnyk on the best run of his career, the Wild are looking forward to measuring their progress against one of the league's traditional powers.