I agree with a lot of what you say, specifically goaltending and defense being relatively even. Ballard is, IMO, a "devastating" offensive defenseman ala Roche, etc. Schneider more quietly gets his points. Overall both teams are very good defensively.
I think MN has more offensive depth through lines 1-4. I think at times in the past our 4th line was basically just spelling the other lines. That wasn't the case in the years when the Sioux had dominant teams and not the case with MN the last couple of years.
Hopefully the Sioux will have that depth this year that shows we can score anytime at least on lines 1-3 and our last line can be one counted on to play a good checking game. MN can score 1-4 lines, and their 4th line is also a very good checking line. That is the ultimate if it can be achieved.