Games Forty-Eight, Forty-Nine, and Fifty

The Minnesota Wild may be figuring out just how to be consistent. Of course, all season, they've been consistently up and down, taking easier games "off" and getting beat shortly after pulling off a victory that nobody thought they'd be able to claim. After pounding on the Toronto Maple Leafs, the next result, against the Edmonton Oilers, was not unexpected.

The Wild got trounced by the Oilers 3-1. Don't let the score fool you into thinking that the game was closer than it was. The Wild was simply outplayed in every area, and it wasn't until the third period that they even tried to get an offense going. Of course, by that point, Niklas Backstrom had already been chased out of the game, and the Wild was staring at a 3-0 deficit. With a trip to Vancouver the next night, things definitely didn't look good for the Wild and their playoffs hopes.

Well, surprise surprise, the Wild showed up for the game against Vancouver, and took an early lead. They let the Canucks claw their way back in a few times, especially in the final minute of play, with Brent Burns in the penalty box for a foolish penalty. And yet, even though the Canucks forced overtime, the Wild were able to claim the victory, and then rest for a few days before returning home to a tough game.

On Wednesday night, that tough game came calling, and the Wild played a complete game, much like they did against Vancouver, except they left their defensive lapses in the locker room. Minnesota was able to pound the Anaheim Ducks 3-0, after playing well in all areas of the ice.

Pluses:
- James Sheppard. Against Edmonton, Sheppard kept fighting, and was rewarded with the Wild's only goal.
- Marc-Andre Bergeron. Visiting the Canucks, Bergeron scored twice, including the OT game winner.
- Cal Clutterbuck. Clutterbuck didn't score against the Ducks, but he did draw a penalty that lead to the early lead, and played physically all night long, sparking the Wild.

Minuses:
- Let down. When you beat an Original Six team 6-1, a let down is almost inevitable. Double that when you're playing a team you blew out previously. And yet, the Wild folded completely against the Oilers.
- Brent Burns. He's starting to make some of the plays that we are used to, but, after a call sent Cal Clutterbuck to the locker room, Burns moved back up to forward, and lost sight of what he's supposed to be doing. Without his foolish dive and trip, Minnesota probably would have one without the extra frame.
- Marc-Andre Bergeron. Maybe it was the pressure of playing the Ducks after scoring two goals, but Bergeron seemed shaky on defense, and gave the puck away a few too many times.

Next up: The Wild take on the 24-24-3 Nashville Predators tonight. The Wild are 1-1 against Nashville this season.