Wild seeking more from top line in Game 2 against Jets

WINNIPEG -- The Minnesota Wild will be looking for more from their top line when they play the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round at Bell MTS Place on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN, TVAS2, FS-N).

The Jets won Game 1 of the the best-of-7 series 3-2 here Wednesday.
RELATED: [Complete Jets vs. Wild series coverage]
The Wild line of center Eric Staal and wings Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter had no points and combined for four of Minnesota's 20 shots in Game 1.
"Well, they have to become more of a factor," Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said Thursday. "They were only involved in two potential scoring chances. Your most offensive line has got to be as good as their best offensive line. There's room for improvement."

Staal, who led Minnesota with 42 goals this season to tie Marian Gaborik's Wild record (2007-08), said his line's performance was not good enough.
"It was [the Stanley Cup] Playoffs, Game 1 and maybe we were guilty too much feeling out at times instead of just being a little bit more aggressive," said Staal, who had 34 assists. "When [Zucker] is skating and Nino is skating and we're assertive on the forecheck and using our legs, we can create open ice and create chances and I don't think we did enough of that last night. We don't feel good about it so we'll be better tomorrow."
Niederreiter, who had 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 63 games this season, said the line was too conservative against the Jets.
"I think the problem was for us we were almost too worried about having that high guy," he said. "It felt like we were [having] two guys high and trying not to get scored against almost. And that's not what we want to do.
"We've got to make sure we have two guys always on the forecheck and we got to have full support, and that's something which we didn't do yesterday. I mean we didn't give them any chances. It's almost we played too safe."
Zucker, who had 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games, said the safe approach started with him.
"I don't think on the forecheck I was very good, but it's things we can fix overnight which is good and get right back after it," Zucker said.

The Wild have lost seven straight times in Game 2 of a series (they're 2-10 in Game 2). Boudreau did not specify what they need to do better to end that streak.
"The message to the team I'll keep to myself," Boudreau said. "Dissecting the tape, we did a few things that we could definitely improve upon tomorrow. And we did a lot of good things. I think in reality we had seven pretty bad minutes [in the third period]. But it was a pretty even game after that. And I think we can play a lot better."
Boudreau said one thing he won't put much focus on is matching lines with the Jets. Winnipeg will have the last change on home ice before the series switches to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday.
"With our team, what we've tried to do for most of the year, is everybody plays against everybody," Boudreau said. "So when we get into positions [like] where we are now that I have no problem with the fourth line being on against anybody. I think they're a pretty responsible group right now.
"I think the most important thing is everybody must know how to play against everybody else for occasions like this."
Minnesota, which took a 2-1 lead on Zach Parise's goal 3:58 into the third period, tried to take encouragement from the fact that it played a tight road game, though it was outshot 40-20.
"I think we were pretty difficult to play against," Staal said. "I don't think they had a ton of chances. I think we can be a little more tenacious offensively, get after them a little more. Hopefully that's tomorrow."

A little more determination in the offensive zone could make a big difference, Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk said.
"Whether it's just throwing pucks to the net or whatever it is, you have to find a way to create some havoc sometimes and see what happens," Dubnyk said. "That's when things open up."
Boudreau would not disclose any lineup changes for Game 2, but did say he might consider moving rookie defenseman Nick Seeler to play with Jared Spurgeon. Spurgeon played with rookie Carson Soucy in Game 1.
Seeler and Soucy each played his first Stanley Cup Playoff game Wednesday.