Jared Spurgeon News

Despite making the playoffs, something the team had not done since winning the Northwest Division in 2008, a five-game exit in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to the President's Trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks feels unsatisfying for the Wild.

Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa, right, celebrates after scoring his second goal as Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding and Jared Spurgeon react during the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Chicago, Thursday, May 9, 2013.

The Minnesota Wild will have a lot of decisions to make in the offseason, as they begin to assess the statuses of their restricted and unrestricted free agents.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses "Russo's Rants" to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN radio and seen ... (more)

The Minnesota Wild saw their season come to an end Thursday night with a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks .

Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild in Chicago, Thursday, May 9, 2013.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Patrick Sharp scored two goals for Chicago, and the Blackhawks ratcheted up their defense, putting the Minnesota Wild on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 victory Tuesday night.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Patrick Sharp scored two goals for Chicago, and the Blackhawks ratcheted up their defense, putting the Minnesota Wild on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 victory Tuesday night.

Michal handzus #26 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Jared Spurgeon #46 of the Minnesota Wild battle for the puck in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 30, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.

Justin Falk stayed in the background and delivered more of the lesser-noticed plays for the Wild in their Game 3 playoff victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, recording one hit, taking one penalty and generally acting as a tough guy in the Minnesota zone for the second consecutive game.

In a classic 1 vs. 8 series where the Chicago Blackhawks had the decided edge in every facets, they certainly took it to the Wild in every facet of a 5-2 pounding Thursday night at the United Center.

To win Game 2, the Minnesota Wild are going to need to get more of what they got from Jared Spurgeon in Game 1. With Clayton Stoner and Niklas Backstrom out, that's not one but two reasons for the other defensemen to raise their game.

Jim Souhan analyzes the local sports scene and advises you to never take his betting advice.

About the only way the Wild would have a prayer in the world of upsetting the President's Trophy winners would be if Niklas Backstrom did a handstand in the middle of the crease 60 minutes a night for the entire series.

Most of the time, people don't question a goalie tandem that just won the Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals during the regular season.

Zach Parise, left, and Ryan Suter had an up-and-down first season with the Wild, but they had a big hand in getting the team into the playoffs for the first time in five years.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses "Russo's Rants" to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN radio and seen ... (more)

Jan 30, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell hits Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella during the third period at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Hawks roll four lines and finished second in the NHL with an average of 3.10 goals per game.

Mar 30, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin and defenseman Ryan Suter against the Los Angeles Kings at the Xcel Energy Center.