The Minnesota Wild aren't eliminated from the playoff race, but they might want to consider themselves as such. Especially if it leads to gritty performances like the one they turned in against the Calgary Flames. This is a time where the Wild can spoil other team's playoff chances, and Minnesota did just that by sending Calgary away with a regulation loss.
It's been said before. If the Wild can play a gritty, tough game and compete from start to finish, it will be entertaining to watch even a loss. If the Wild don't press, don't forecheck, and don't skate, the rest of the season could be painful. Against Calgary, both Wild teams showed up, but more of the former was there, as they cling to the slimmest of playoff hopes. They're also doing it with players who, by all rights and means, should be sitting in a recovery room to heal their injuries, but are instead gutting it out every night on the ice. Meanwhile, the game also featured two extended play-stoppages. On one, a ferocious check from Guillaume Latendresse broke the penalty box door. On the other, a fluky play lead to Calgary's Daymond Langkow taking a scary injury, with a puck striking him just below the back of his neck while his head hit the ice. It was a frightening moment, with Langkow being carted off the ice on a stretcher. Thankfully, reports are saying that Langkow hasn't lost any mobility, so hopefully he'll be able to return to the ice soon.
Game pluses:
- Chuck Kobasew. One of the Wild's "walking wounded", Kobasew scored twice, and almost got to complete his second hat-trick of the season.
- Guillaume Latendresse. Even without the monster hit, Latendresse had an impact on the game, scoring a beautiful backhander on the power play. This is a skater who has come to Minneosta and done all of the things he supposedly didn't do in Montreal; showing speed, hands, and a physicality that's hard to compete with.
- Casey Wellman. The Wild's freshest face has talent, and his forecheck helped create Kobasew's first goal. He's sometimes out of position, but that can be handled by calming his nerves and getting him more familiar with the system. Wellman has shown he can play with the big boys, so he could make a very interesting camp next season for the Wild centers.
Game minuses:
- Daymond Langkow. Obviously, no matter which team you support, you hate to see any kind of injury on the ice. That goes double when it's something as strange and as dangerous as Langkow's injury. Hopefully he won't be away from the game for too long.
- Josh Harding. While Harding wasn't awful, he wasn't stellar, either. He's obviously another of the "walking wounded", playing through his reaggravated hip injury. Still, he allowed Calgary to climb back into the game and make things interesting.
- Defense. While Harding wasn't as strong in net as he could have been, the guys right in front of him had a rough game, too. True, they tightened up at the end of the contest, but there were more than a few defensive lapses that created some of the great Flames chances.
Next up: The Wild next face the San Jose Sharks, who are fighting to secure the top spot in the conference. Given the Wild's tendency to play to their opponents ability levels, it could be a very tough game for San Jose.
Showing posts with label Chuck Kobasew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chuck Kobasew. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
2009-10 Game Seventy-One: Wild 2, Blue Jackets 4
Maybe now the Wild can just go about the business of playing hockey without anything to clutter their minds. After losing to Columbus, and to Nashville the night before, the Wild are truly in a position where they need to win out the rest of the way through the season, and they need help. True, they are still mathematically in the race, but with today's NHL and the frequency of 3-point games, it's unrealistic for anyone to plan more hockey in St. Paul than was originally scheduled.
The thing is, the Wild actually had chances to win this game, and, if it hadn't been for some mind-boggling officiating, they probably would have taken it. Of course, it doesn't help when the team has to play with only five defensemen as long as they did, but Minnesota still had their chances. However, the Blue Jackets tied the game on what seemed to be a clear case of goaltender interference, and that was all she wrote for Minnesota. With a shortened bench, and having to beat the Blue Jackets and the league's representatives, the Wild just couldn't turn the momentum back their way.
Game pluses:
- Casey Wellman. Welcome to the NHL, kid. Wellman, playing in his first NHL game, got his first assist on a nice feed to Chuck Kobasew. Wellman also came oh-so-close to scoring his first goal, showing some of the reason why 22 NHL teams were hungry to have him join their club.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild captain is quickly closing in on his point totals from last season, which were a career best. He notched a goal in the game.
- Chuck Kobasew. Kobasew isn't expected to be a huge scorer for the Wild, but, over the last few games, he's been one of the more consistent. He knocked home Wellman's sweet centering pass for his sixth goal of his abbreviated season.
Game minuses:
- Justin Falk. Not that any of this was Falk's fault. In his NHL debut, Falk took a questionable hit to the head. That hit did not receive a penalty, but it did unfortunately shorten Falk's debut as he left the ice with a concussion.
- Mental lapses. How else can the Rick Nash goal be explained? Thanks to a broken stick and some confusion as to whether or not a player was coming off of the ice, the Wild only had four skaters as Nash took the puck up-ice for a clear shot at the net.
- Officiating. It's been bad all season, all across the NHL. Certain teams can do no wrong, but other teams get penalized for the mildest of offenses. In this game, the officials completely missed the shot to Falk's head (this coming shortly after the NHL had meetings to eliminate head shots), and they also ignored a clear-cut goaltender interference call that lead to the tying goal for Columbus. It should be noted that one of the officials for the game, is Stephane Auger, the very same official that was accused of showing bias by Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks.
Next up: The Wild need to win out for a glimpse of a hope. That opportunity started against the Calgary Flames.
The thing is, the Wild actually had chances to win this game, and, if it hadn't been for some mind-boggling officiating, they probably would have taken it. Of course, it doesn't help when the team has to play with only five defensemen as long as they did, but Minnesota still had their chances. However, the Blue Jackets tied the game on what seemed to be a clear case of goaltender interference, and that was all she wrote for Minnesota. With a shortened bench, and having to beat the Blue Jackets and the league's representatives, the Wild just couldn't turn the momentum back their way.
Game pluses:
- Casey Wellman. Welcome to the NHL, kid. Wellman, playing in his first NHL game, got his first assist on a nice feed to Chuck Kobasew. Wellman also came oh-so-close to scoring his first goal, showing some of the reason why 22 NHL teams were hungry to have him join their club.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild captain is quickly closing in on his point totals from last season, which were a career best. He notched a goal in the game.
- Chuck Kobasew. Kobasew isn't expected to be a huge scorer for the Wild, but, over the last few games, he's been one of the more consistent. He knocked home Wellman's sweet centering pass for his sixth goal of his abbreviated season.
Game minuses:
- Justin Falk. Not that any of this was Falk's fault. In his NHL debut, Falk took a questionable hit to the head. That hit did not receive a penalty, but it did unfortunately shorten Falk's debut as he left the ice with a concussion.
- Mental lapses. How else can the Rick Nash goal be explained? Thanks to a broken stick and some confusion as to whether or not a player was coming off of the ice, the Wild only had four skaters as Nash took the puck up-ice for a clear shot at the net.
- Officiating. It's been bad all season, all across the NHL. Certain teams can do no wrong, but other teams get penalized for the mildest of offenses. In this game, the officials completely missed the shot to Falk's head (this coming shortly after the NHL had meetings to eliminate head shots), and they also ignored a clear-cut goaltender interference call that lead to the tying goal for Columbus. It should be noted that one of the officials for the game, is Stephane Auger, the very same official that was accused of showing bias by Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks.
Next up: The Wild need to win out for a glimpse of a hope. That opportunity started against the Calgary Flames.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
2009-10 Game Sixty-Nine: Wild 4, Oilers 2
The Minnesota Wild had an opportunity to match the mark for the longest current home win streak against any opponent. Coming into the game, the Wild had beaten the Edmonton Oilers twelve times in a row at St. Paul. After the game was over, the Wild had tied the mark, thanks to a strong all-around game, especially with some great play by the team's centers.
Those centers might have been feeling a little pressure, given that the Wild signed a college free agent who could be looking to take a job away from one of them. Minnesota brought Casey Wellman from the University of Massachusetts, and almost played him in his first chance. Wellman's debut was put on hold, but he did get some time to skate with the team during warm-ups, and might see time in the upcoming game against the Nashville Predators. Meanwhile, the rest of the Wild stepped up, and responded in a huge way after Edmonton twice tied the game. This was especially notable given how the on-ice officials almost seemed to be trying to hand the Oilers the win. Don't believe it? Watch the play that lead to the eventual 5-on-3 Edmonton power play, and try and find two clear penalties in that scrum.
Game pluses:
- Centers. On a day where the Wild added a coveted player (beating out 21 other teams) to their center ranks, the team's current line-up of centers stepped up in a big way. Strong play is expected out of Mikko Koivu, but Andrew Ebbett notched a multi-point game, Kyle Brodziak was forechecking, and James Sheppard showed a compete level that he hasn't shown often this season.
- Martin Havlat. The Wild winger keeps finding ways to get himself into the quiet areas on the ice, and he was rewarded with a big insurance goal.
- Chuck Kobasew. Kobasew hadn't scored since his hat trick the day after Thanksgiving. A nice way to break that streak is to put home the game winning goal, especially after Edmonton kept clawing back in.
Game minuses:
- Officiating. It was yet another lousy game called by the officials, with plenty of bad or missed calls going both ways. Still, the penalties that put Edmonton on a 5-on-3 jump out as some of the worst ones. Yes, there was a penalty on that call. But the second?
- Late defense. The Wild held on at the end of the game, but they certainly didn't help themselves by giving up 20 shots to the Oilers in the third period. This was the first time gave up that many shots in one period all season.
- Antti Miettinen. Yes, Miettinen scored. However, he also missed on some great chances, by putting the puck too far or too high. He may not be a sniper, but for a team that could use more scoring, being that badly off target has to change.
Next up: The Wild try to roll off their fourth win in a row, and keep moving themselves up the standings, when they face the Nashville Predators next.
Those centers might have been feeling a little pressure, given that the Wild signed a college free agent who could be looking to take a job away from one of them. Minnesota brought Casey Wellman from the University of Massachusetts, and almost played him in his first chance. Wellman's debut was put on hold, but he did get some time to skate with the team during warm-ups, and might see time in the upcoming game against the Nashville Predators. Meanwhile, the rest of the Wild stepped up, and responded in a huge way after Edmonton twice tied the game. This was especially notable given how the on-ice officials almost seemed to be trying to hand the Oilers the win. Don't believe it? Watch the play that lead to the eventual 5-on-3 Edmonton power play, and try and find two clear penalties in that scrum.
Game pluses:
- Centers. On a day where the Wild added a coveted player (beating out 21 other teams) to their center ranks, the team's current line-up of centers stepped up in a big way. Strong play is expected out of Mikko Koivu, but Andrew Ebbett notched a multi-point game, Kyle Brodziak was forechecking, and James Sheppard showed a compete level that he hasn't shown often this season.
- Martin Havlat. The Wild winger keeps finding ways to get himself into the quiet areas on the ice, and he was rewarded with a big insurance goal.
- Chuck Kobasew. Kobasew hadn't scored since his hat trick the day after Thanksgiving. A nice way to break that streak is to put home the game winning goal, especially after Edmonton kept clawing back in.
Game minuses:
- Officiating. It was yet another lousy game called by the officials, with plenty of bad or missed calls going both ways. Still, the penalties that put Edmonton on a 5-on-3 jump out as some of the worst ones. Yes, there was a penalty on that call. But the second?
- Late defense. The Wild held on at the end of the game, but they certainly didn't help themselves by giving up 20 shots to the Oilers in the third period. This was the first time gave up that many shots in one period all season.
- Antti Miettinen. Yes, Miettinen scored. However, he also missed on some great chances, by putting the puck too far or too high. He may not be a sniper, but for a team that could use more scoring, being that badly off target has to change.
Next up: The Wild try to roll off their fourth win in a row, and keep moving themselves up the standings, when they face the Nashville Predators next.
Monday, November 30, 2009
2009-10 Game Twenty-Four: Wild 5, Avalanche 3
The day after Thanksgiving, the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche got an early start. Maybe it was all of the food from the day before, and maybe it was the afternoon start time, but it took a little bit for either team to get moving quickly. That did change as the game progressed, and the Wild ended up stepping forward in a big way, continuing a recent trend of taking points from games.
The Wild also got to see hats rain down on the ice for the first time since Marian Gaborik lit up his current team for 5 goals, thanks to an impressive performance by Chuck Kobasew. If it hadn't been for an illness to Antti Miettinen, Kobasew wouldn't have found himself with his linemates, and might not have been able to make as much of an impact. It was a good thing, too, as the Wild had to overcome a sloppy performance by Niklas Backstrom, and an energetic performance from the Avalanche.
Game pluses:
- Chuck Kobasew. Sure, his third goal was an emtpy-netter. But his first two goals were opportunistic and well-placed.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's captain continues to make plays that seem impossible, and dishes the puck better than anyone else on the team.
- Derek Boogaard. The big man is playing better, and looks to be getting some offensive confidence. His assist came thanks to a great pass, and he could find himself getting his first goal in 2+ seasons before too long.
Game minuses:
- Slow start. The Wild once again started the game by giving up the first goal, but they were able to respond. They need to get a better start to the games, whether the puck drops at 8:00pm, or 1:00pm.
- Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom did enough to keep the Wild from losing the game, but he gave up uncharacteristic rebounds, and got lucky thanks to a puck that danced along the goal line, but never across it.
- Transition hockey. The Avalanche came out the better team when it came to odd-man rushes. The Wild defense needs to be stingier.
Next up: The Wild finished the home-and-home series the next night, looking to keep their record against the Avalanche perfect on the season.
The Wild also got to see hats rain down on the ice for the first time since Marian Gaborik lit up his current team for 5 goals, thanks to an impressive performance by Chuck Kobasew. If it hadn't been for an illness to Antti Miettinen, Kobasew wouldn't have found himself with his linemates, and might not have been able to make as much of an impact. It was a good thing, too, as the Wild had to overcome a sloppy performance by Niklas Backstrom, and an energetic performance from the Avalanche.
Game pluses:
- Chuck Kobasew. Sure, his third goal was an emtpy-netter. But his first two goals were opportunistic and well-placed.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's captain continues to make plays that seem impossible, and dishes the puck better than anyone else on the team.
- Derek Boogaard. The big man is playing better, and looks to be getting some offensive confidence. His assist came thanks to a great pass, and he could find himself getting his first goal in 2+ seasons before too long.
Game minuses:
- Slow start. The Wild once again started the game by giving up the first goal, but they were able to respond. They need to get a better start to the games, whether the puck drops at 8:00pm, or 1:00pm.
- Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom did enough to keep the Wild from losing the game, but he gave up uncharacteristic rebounds, and got lucky thanks to a puck that danced along the goal line, but never across it.
- Transition hockey. The Avalanche came out the better team when it came to odd-man rushes. The Wild defense needs to be stingier.
Next up: The Wild finished the home-and-home series the next night, looking to keep their record against the Avalanche perfect on the season.
Friday, November 6, 2009
2009-10 Game Fifteen: Wild 2, Canucks 5
Let the excuses roll in. The Wild didn't take an injury-riddled Canucks team seriously. Too much time between games caused them to lose their skating legs. The team still hasn't adjusted to the time change.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that the basement-dwelling Minnesota Wild played one of their least-inspired games of the season, and, after stealing games from the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, collapsed hard, letting Vancouver take the game from them with ease. The Wild couldn't skate, couldn't pass, and couldn't shoot. Just as soon as they looked like they were able to start turning the tide, Vancouver would give the Wild a power play, and any sense of momentum was destroyed. To make matters worse, the Wild lost leading scorer Eric Belanger in the second period with an unspecified upper body injury, which explained the mixing and matching being done with his linemates.
Game pluses:
- Kyle Brodziak. Brodziak became the first Wild player to score two goals in one game this season, and scored both by picking up the trash and gathering in rebounds.
- Cal Clutterbuck. The Wild's hit leader assisted on Brodziak's first goal, and generated some chances on his own.
- Chuck Kobasew. Rounding out the only Wild line that looked like it wanted to win, Kobasew helped Brodziak and Clutterbuck create opportunities, and applied some good hits to shake Canucks loose from the puck.
Game minuses:
- Niklas Backstrom. After being the biggest reason the Wild defeated New York and Pittsburgh, Backstrom became their biggest liability. He wasn't sharp, and none of the four goals he gave up were highlight reel shots.
- James Sheppard. Sheppard has looked lost all season, and still hasn't put together even an assist, now through fifteen games. Sheppard also coughed up the puck early, leading directly to Darcy Hordichuk's goal that set a slow-moving Wild team into reverse.
- Derek Boogaard. Not that there weren't other players who made serious mistakes, but taking an undisciplined penalty at the end of a period, and then making it worse by turning it into a double-minor, all while your team is down by a goal? Not smart, and the Canucks converted the power play for a 2-0 lead that they never looked back from.
Next up: The Wild will get better than this, and they'll develop consistency, but the question remains as to when that will all happen. Perhaps the game Saturday against the visiting Dallas Stars will give the team some life.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that the basement-dwelling Minnesota Wild played one of their least-inspired games of the season, and, after stealing games from the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, collapsed hard, letting Vancouver take the game from them with ease. The Wild couldn't skate, couldn't pass, and couldn't shoot. Just as soon as they looked like they were able to start turning the tide, Vancouver would give the Wild a power play, and any sense of momentum was destroyed. To make matters worse, the Wild lost leading scorer Eric Belanger in the second period with an unspecified upper body injury, which explained the mixing and matching being done with his linemates.
Game pluses:
- Kyle Brodziak. Brodziak became the first Wild player to score two goals in one game this season, and scored both by picking up the trash and gathering in rebounds.
- Cal Clutterbuck. The Wild's hit leader assisted on Brodziak's first goal, and generated some chances on his own.
- Chuck Kobasew. Rounding out the only Wild line that looked like it wanted to win, Kobasew helped Brodziak and Clutterbuck create opportunities, and applied some good hits to shake Canucks loose from the puck.
Game minuses:
- Niklas Backstrom. After being the biggest reason the Wild defeated New York and Pittsburgh, Backstrom became their biggest liability. He wasn't sharp, and none of the four goals he gave up were highlight reel shots.
- James Sheppard. Sheppard has looked lost all season, and still hasn't put together even an assist, now through fifteen games. Sheppard also coughed up the puck early, leading directly to Darcy Hordichuk's goal that set a slow-moving Wild team into reverse.
- Derek Boogaard. Not that there weren't other players who made serious mistakes, but taking an undisciplined penalty at the end of a period, and then making it worse by turning it into a double-minor, all while your team is down by a goal? Not smart, and the Canucks converted the power play for a 2-0 lead that they never looked back from.
Next up: The Wild will get better than this, and they'll develop consistency, but the question remains as to when that will all happen. Perhaps the game Saturday against the visiting Dallas Stars will give the team some life.
Monday, October 26, 2009
2009-10 Game Nine: Wild 1, Blues 3
If the Wild want to find a way to win on the road, they need to get a quick start to the game. The St. Louis Blues showed just how to do that, taking a 1-0 lead before the first minute had ticked off of the clock. Once again playing from behind, the Wild fought and scrapped for every inch of ice, but they just couldn't pull even, let alone ahead.
Once again, Niklas Backstrom did what he could to hold the team in the game, but defensive lapses and a lack of being able to put things together offensively lead to the defeat. While the Wild are trying to employ a forechecking system, the Blues showed what an effective forecheck can be, and what one with good size and speed for all players can show. The way Minnesota got banged around the ice, it's a surprise that the score wasn't more lopsided.
Game pluses:
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild netminder did everything he could to keep the team in the game. He's putting up solid numbers, but he hasn't had the goal support needed to secure more wins.
- Chuck Kobasew. The newest member of the team scored his first goal in a Wild sweater, and continues to play with fire.
- Perseverance. The Wild have played from behind almost every game this season. Perhaps as a surprise, they haven't turtled yet, but instead keep playing hard, trying to get themselves back into the game. However, playing from behind gets to be tough every night.
Game minuses:
- Martin Havlat. Havlat is still obviously struggling, and can't develop a touch. Hopefully an upcoming game against his former team will help him rediscover his game.
- Kim Johnsson. He's been much bemoaned here, but the last thing the Wild needed was another injured player.
- Power play. Chris Mason is a big goaltender, but the Wild just didn't generate enough against him with the man advantage. With the Wild's 5-on-5 woes, the power play needs to spark the offense.
Next up: The Wild played another back-to-back, heading home from St. Louis to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Once again, Niklas Backstrom did what he could to hold the team in the game, but defensive lapses and a lack of being able to put things together offensively lead to the defeat. While the Wild are trying to employ a forechecking system, the Blues showed what an effective forecheck can be, and what one with good size and speed for all players can show. The way Minnesota got banged around the ice, it's a surprise that the score wasn't more lopsided.
Game pluses:
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild netminder did everything he could to keep the team in the game. He's putting up solid numbers, but he hasn't had the goal support needed to secure more wins.
- Chuck Kobasew. The newest member of the team scored his first goal in a Wild sweater, and continues to play with fire.
- Perseverance. The Wild have played from behind almost every game this season. Perhaps as a surprise, they haven't turtled yet, but instead keep playing hard, trying to get themselves back into the game. However, playing from behind gets to be tough every night.
Game minuses:
- Martin Havlat. Havlat is still obviously struggling, and can't develop a touch. Hopefully an upcoming game against his former team will help him rediscover his game.
- Kim Johnsson. He's been much bemoaned here, but the last thing the Wild needed was another injured player.
- Power play. Chris Mason is a big goaltender, but the Wild just didn't generate enough against him with the man advantage. With the Wild's 5-on-5 woes, the power play needs to spark the offense.
Next up: The Wild played another back-to-back, heading home from St. Louis to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
2009-10 Game Eight: Wild 3, Avalance 2 (SO)
The Minnesota Wild returned home Wednesday for a short stay, given that they leave right away again for a game on Friday in St. Louis. Their opponents? The Colorado Avalanche, who were riding an incredible streak on the road, setting themselves up as one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. Meanwhile, the Wild were looking to patch themselves up after being handed loss after loss away from the Xcel Energy Center.
Apparently, all it took for the Wild to complete another comeback victory was new jerseys, a "C" on the chest of Mikko Koivu, and the home crowd. Not that the game was easy, by any means. The Wild took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, but they had to know that they should have been leading by a larger margin. Consequently, the second period was one of the worst periods of hockey the Wild have played in awhile, and the third featured the team struggling, up until the point that Captain Koivu stepped up, and hammered home the tying goal. After some shattered glass and a scoreless overtime, it was once again Koivu that notched the lone shootout goal, giving the Wild a perfect 2-0 record at the Xcel this season.
Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. No surprises here. Koivu got the "C" on his sweater, and played even better than he has through earlier games. His hockey smarts were on display, and his shootout goal past Craig Anderson was a thing of beauty.
- Niklas Backstrom. During the second period, Backstrom needed to be stellar, and he was. The two goals that beat him were either fluky or impossible to stop, but he held his team in the game until Koivu could complete the comeback.
- Chuck Kobasew. The Wild's newest player showed some speed, some skill, and a determination to scrap for every inch of ice. Kobasew drew penalty after penalty because of his effort.
Game minuses:
- Even strength. The Wild are having tons of problems getting their offense going when they're skating even-strength with other teams. They need to find a way to fix this problem if they have a hope of turning the season around.
- Defensive zone. The Wild once again had problems clearing their own zone, and it was particularly awful during the second period. Both goals against Backstrom came from horrible clearing attempts.
- Martin Havlat. In his first game back from injury, Havlat showed some of the skills that made him such a desirable off-season acquisition. However, he's missing shots that he should be making, possibly due to putting too much pressure on himself. Havlat needs to score soon, and the pressure should ease up.
Next up: The Wild get on a plane again, and head off to St. Louis, to take on the Blues Friday night, before returning home for a Saturday game.
Apparently, all it took for the Wild to complete another comeback victory was new jerseys, a "C" on the chest of Mikko Koivu, and the home crowd. Not that the game was easy, by any means. The Wild took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, but they had to know that they should have been leading by a larger margin. Consequently, the second period was one of the worst periods of hockey the Wild have played in awhile, and the third featured the team struggling, up until the point that Captain Koivu stepped up, and hammered home the tying goal. After some shattered glass and a scoreless overtime, it was once again Koivu that notched the lone shootout goal, giving the Wild a perfect 2-0 record at the Xcel this season.
Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. No surprises here. Koivu got the "C" on his sweater, and played even better than he has through earlier games. His hockey smarts were on display, and his shootout goal past Craig Anderson was a thing of beauty.
- Niklas Backstrom. During the second period, Backstrom needed to be stellar, and he was. The two goals that beat him were either fluky or impossible to stop, but he held his team in the game until Koivu could complete the comeback.
- Chuck Kobasew. The Wild's newest player showed some speed, some skill, and a determination to scrap for every inch of ice. Kobasew drew penalty after penalty because of his effort.
Game minuses:
- Even strength. The Wild are having tons of problems getting their offense going when they're skating even-strength with other teams. They need to find a way to fix this problem if they have a hope of turning the season around.
- Defensive zone. The Wild once again had problems clearing their own zone, and it was particularly awful during the second period. Both goals against Backstrom came from horrible clearing attempts.
- Martin Havlat. In his first game back from injury, Havlat showed some of the skills that made him such a desirable off-season acquisition. However, he's missing shots that he should be making, possibly due to putting too much pressure on himself. Havlat needs to score soon, and the pressure should ease up.
Next up: The Wild get on a plane again, and head off to St. Louis, to take on the Blues Friday night, before returning home for a Saturday game.
Monday, October 19, 2009
2009-10 Game Seven: Wild 1, Canucks 2
After playing well and still getting beaten badly, nobody would have been surprised if the Wild completely collapsed, just hoping for a long trip back to St. Paul to tend to their wounds for a bit before their next game. That wasn't in the cards for Minnesota, as they played another tough game, this time against the Vancouver Canucks.
Part of the reason that the Wild didn't collapse completely is that the Canucks are in the middle of a slow start to their season, as well. It didn't help Vancouver that they had to play the game without one of the Sedin twins, and they had to face a Minnesota team scrapping for every inch they could get. When the Wild ended the first period with the lead, there was a hint of something positive happening to a team that desperately needs some good news. Unfortunately, the long road trip and too much time playing from behind took the wind out of Minnesota's sails, and the Canucks ended up overtaking an exhausted Wild team, sending them packing with a miserable 0-5 road record to start the season.
Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. Koivu's goal may not have been intended to be a shot, but it ended up in the back of the net either way. Koivu's intensity and fire have been bright spots for the Wild this season, and he needs to keep making the steps he has.
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild wouldn't have even been in the game if it hadn't been for Backstrom. He survived almost 40 shots, and kept giving the Wild chances to get back moving forward.
- Benoit Pouliot. Pouliot may have finally found the fire that was missing in previous stints in the NHL. He continued playing in front of the net, and even helped clear some of the Canucks out of Backstrom's way.
Game minuses:
- James Sheppard. Sheppard, like Pouliot, tried clearing Canucks out of the crease. Sheppard, like Pouliot, took a penalty for it. Sheppard, unlike Pouliot, chose an awful time and a foolish penalty to take. The ensuing power play gave Vancouver the game winner.
- Power play. Maybe it was exhaustion from too much time losing, but the Wild power play just couldn't get things moving.
- Energy. The Wild just didn't have any, and it caused them to forget what they were doing. By the end of the game, the Wild just didn't have enough gas to put together a legitimate threat to tie the game.
Next up: Things may get better for the Wild as they return home, and, hopefully, see the returns of Martin Havlat and Petr Sykora. The Wild are also met in St. Paul by new acquisition Chuck Kobasew, as they prepare to wear their third jerseys for the first time Wednesday night in a game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Part of the reason that the Wild didn't collapse completely is that the Canucks are in the middle of a slow start to their season, as well. It didn't help Vancouver that they had to play the game without one of the Sedin twins, and they had to face a Minnesota team scrapping for every inch they could get. When the Wild ended the first period with the lead, there was a hint of something positive happening to a team that desperately needs some good news. Unfortunately, the long road trip and too much time playing from behind took the wind out of Minnesota's sails, and the Canucks ended up overtaking an exhausted Wild team, sending them packing with a miserable 0-5 road record to start the season.
Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. Koivu's goal may not have been intended to be a shot, but it ended up in the back of the net either way. Koivu's intensity and fire have been bright spots for the Wild this season, and he needs to keep making the steps he has.
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild wouldn't have even been in the game if it hadn't been for Backstrom. He survived almost 40 shots, and kept giving the Wild chances to get back moving forward.
- Benoit Pouliot. Pouliot may have finally found the fire that was missing in previous stints in the NHL. He continued playing in front of the net, and even helped clear some of the Canucks out of Backstrom's way.
Game minuses:
- James Sheppard. Sheppard, like Pouliot, tried clearing Canucks out of the crease. Sheppard, like Pouliot, took a penalty for it. Sheppard, unlike Pouliot, chose an awful time and a foolish penalty to take. The ensuing power play gave Vancouver the game winner.
- Power play. Maybe it was exhaustion from too much time losing, but the Wild power play just couldn't get things moving.
- Energy. The Wild just didn't have any, and it caused them to forget what they were doing. By the end of the game, the Wild just didn't have enough gas to put together a legitimate threat to tie the game.
Next up: Things may get better for the Wild as they return home, and, hopefully, see the returns of Martin Havlat and Petr Sykora. The Wild are also met in St. Paul by new acquisition Chuck Kobasew, as they prepare to wear their third jerseys for the first time Wednesday night in a game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
