Michael Russo

I'm doing great.

How are you, Kipper?

Yeah, game one was, you know, I think that game could easily be explained to just low energy on Dallas' part.

You know, I don't want to make excuses for them.

I know it's the playoffs, but the Wild, you know, they strategically rested their guys for about a week before the season started.

The Dallas Stars didn't.

The other thing is the Wild ended...

At home on Tuesday, took Wednesday off.

Dallas was up in Buffalo on Wednesday, took Thursday off.

And I just think that they didn't come out with the same energy and vigor that you'd expect, and the Wild absolutely did.

But absolutely, Monday's game is exactly what I think that the Wild expected from this series, and I think it's what we're going to see going forward.

Two teams that don't like each other, two teams that are highly competitive.

And that was a game where the Wild easily could have won.

They didn't, but they still have home ice advantage.

And now it's a chance to really come back here to Grand Casino Arena and really take control of the series.

No, not at all.

I mean, you know, I do think that Zuccarello's injury is the one that I'd be the most concerned about if I was Minnesota.

We'll see if he plays tonight.

But look, the Wilds' power play has been dynamic, really, for the second half of the season.

I think Faber and Hughes have been terrific so far.