May 01--All week, the Blackhawks and Wild have talked about each other and practiced in prepartion to face each other.
At last, Game 1 is upon them and there's little either team can do that will surprise the other after two consecutive postseasons facing each other.
"I think the way they play, both teams, there's a respect for the opponent and both teams," coach Joel Quenneville said.
The Wild, meanwhile, want to exorcise some playoff demons over the last few years. In the last two playoff series, the Wild haven't won at the United Center.
"If we're going to win this playoff series, we have to find a way to do that," Wild coach Mike Yeo said.
Hawks winger Kris Versteeg did not skate for the second consecutive day. The Hawks also announced the signing of Artemi Panarin, a 24-year-old forward from the KHL in Russia. He is currently playing with the Russian national team in the world championships.
