Wild's second round series similar to first

Another playoff series, another string of home wins and road losses, and another must-win game six for the Minnesota Wild.

Here we go again.

This second-round series against the defending-champion Chicago Blackhawks has a lot of similarities to the Wild’s opening round against the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild, without home-ice advantage, started each series going down two games to none, only to tie the series with two home wins. Then, it’s been a pair of losses in game fives.

As we all know, the Wild rallied to win games six and seven against Colorado to move on to this series. The obvious question is: Can they do it again?

With a 2-1 loss Sunday night in Chicago, the Wild need to continue its dominant play at Xcel Energy Center in game six. If it doesn’t, the season comes to a close for the state of hockey.

Every team is different, so really, every playoff series should be a little different. It’s been great so far to watch the Wild make this a series, unlike last year’s 4-1 series loss that seemed much more one-sided.

The home games this year have been especially entertaining. I continue to be impressed with youngsters Justin Fontaine, Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula, who have scored pretty goals and dazzled with their speed.

The Wild won games 4-0 and 4-2 at home after being in a familiar 2-0 series deficit. Those were a couple of impressive games that showed me this team is capable of playing on the same level, or better, as the Blackhawks.

Still, the Wild are up against a tough Chicago team that has all kinds of star power. For me, that’s always been in the back of my mind as the possible difference in the series. I’m not sure if I can pinpoint why, exactly.

Yes, the Wild have played well enough to win games, score goals and play a strong defensive game, as they have held Chicago to 22 shots or less in the first four games.

But if there is something that worries me, it’s Chicago’s talent and veteran experience winning the Stanley Cup twice in four years. I’m talking about Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Those guys are great goal scorers.

Not to mention Bryan Bickell, who with six goals in the playoffs has demonstrated that he plays his absolute best hockey in the postseason.

The Wild have done a good job of containing these opponents at many points during the series. After letting an early 1-0 lead slip away in game five, Minnesota needs to recapture what’s made it such a fun team to watch when it returns home Tuesday night.

If it does that, I know there’s a great chance the Wild will get another win and force a game seven back in Chicago.