Maybe it's the fact that the team finally gets to play two consecutive home games for the first time this season. Maybe it's a lack of talent, something that was hidden by the previous system. Maybe they just don't have the drive on the road to get things done. Whatever the cause, the Minnesota Wild found themselves in a similar position against the Chicago Blackhawks. After playing hard for the first ten minutes, a defensive lapse gave Chicago a lead, and the Wild just couldn't put things together after that. Even when handed power play after power play, the Wild offense was completely ineffective, as the Blackhawks powered straight through the Wild on the way to the victory.
The Wild look lost, as they became the first team in over a decade to go without a point in their first eight road games. The scorers are either not making shots, or taking bad angle shots, hitters aren't hitting with their usual force, and the defense keeps trying to pinch in for an extra attacker, but leaving themselves open for an opposing breakaway. If it wasn't for the goaltending the Wild have gotten the last few games, they wouldn't have even had a chance to pull even. The team needs to find the fire within themselves to get it done, or they may be letting go of any thoughts towards a post-season before Thanksgiving.
Game pluses:
- Andrew Brunette. The Wild are offensively futile for the most part, but Andrew Brunette continues to display a veteran's patience, and is one of the few players for the Wild that can be counted on to put a point onto the score sheet.
- Greg Zanon. A game after he almost scored the OT winner, Zanon was again a force for blocked shots.
- Faceoffs. An area of trouble for last year's Wild team, this year, the Wild are winning the puck battle right away. Unfortunately, they aren't keeping it for long, or aren't doing anything with it when they do have it.
Game minuses:
- James Sheppard. True, Sheppard didn't get into the game much thanks to all the special teams play. By the same token, what better way to display your desire than taking those few minutes and working hard? Sheppard spent too much of the game looking, and not enough playing physically.
- Marek Zidlicky. Zidlicky didn't have the worst game of his Wild career, but he's quickly becoming a bit of a liability for puck possession. He also had more trouble clearing the defensive zone last night than he's had in awhile.
- Martin Havlat. Havlat started the game strong, and almost put together a beautiful play for an early Minnesota lead. However, he was stifled, and proceeded to frustrate himself into ineffectivenesss for the remainder of the game.
Next up: The Wild return home, to the site of their only victories this season. Their opponents? The Nashville Predators, giving Zanon and Zidlicky a chance to skate against their old team.
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