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.
Showing posts with label Columbus Blue Jackets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Columbus Blue Jackets. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
2009-10 Game Seventy: Wild 0, Predators 5
Maybe it was for the best that most Minnesota Wild fans were only able to listen to their game against the Nashville Predators. Riding high on a three-game win streak, and in a position where they practically need to win every game for the remainder of the season if they want to see a glimpse of the playoffs, the Wild got outplayed in every aspect of the game, as the Predators handed them their worst loss of the season.
This game featured two teams fighting hard for the playoffs, but from two different perspectives. The Wild need to string together points badly, and they need help, if they want to crack the top eight. Meanwhile, Nashville also need to keep collecting points in the standings, but that's to stay where they are, and the Predators are hoping to avoid a first-round match-up with the San Jose Sharks. Obviously, Nashville wanted the game more, as they came out swinging, and delivered multiple knock-out punches to a Wild team that couldn't find its rhythm, and barely found the puck.
Game pluses:
- Greg Zanon. While the Wild have been banged up, and have experienced defensive lapses, Zanon has been one of the more steady players. Here's hoping that the shot he blocked late in the game doesn't leave him off of the ice against Columbus tonight.
- Fast opening. It doesn't look that way, but the Wild actually did come out of the gate with energy, and some ability to move the puck. Unfortunately, two quick goals just before the midpoint of the period took all the wind out of Minnesota's sails.
- Casey Wellman. No, the kid didn't play. But after the way the Wild got trounced in Nashville, it wouldn't be surprising if he makes his NHL debut against Columbus. All the reports say that he's got a great shot, and has a very good chance of cracking the Wild roster next season. If he lives up to his potential, the Wild may have a verified second-line center, behind Mikko Koivu.
Game minuses:
- Josh Harding. The Wild netminder seemed bewildered at times, most notably on the third Nashville goal. In his defense, the shot just before had broken his chest protector, but Harding himself admitted to a mental lapse leading to the wide open net.
- Shots. Even with the game seemingly out of reach after a three-goal Nashville start, the Wild had a chance to scramble back into it. After all, this team has won games from similar deficits all season. However, you aren't going to crawl back into a hockey game when you only manage eight shots in the final two periods.
- Compete. The Wild started strong, and had a couple of early chances. Then Nashville scored twice in under two minutes, and the game was over. Minnesota never recovered, and for a team that needs to fight if they want to see postseason play, they just didn't have it. Ultimately, this might be a blessing in disguise, as the Wild would almost invariably fall in the first round this season, and they can definitely use a higher draft position to their advantage.
Next up: The Wild see if they can get back on track, taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
This game featured two teams fighting hard for the playoffs, but from two different perspectives. The Wild need to string together points badly, and they need help, if they want to crack the top eight. Meanwhile, Nashville also need to keep collecting points in the standings, but that's to stay where they are, and the Predators are hoping to avoid a first-round match-up with the San Jose Sharks. Obviously, Nashville wanted the game more, as they came out swinging, and delivered multiple knock-out punches to a Wild team that couldn't find its rhythm, and barely found the puck.
Game pluses:
- Greg Zanon. While the Wild have been banged up, and have experienced defensive lapses, Zanon has been one of the more steady players. Here's hoping that the shot he blocked late in the game doesn't leave him off of the ice against Columbus tonight.
- Fast opening. It doesn't look that way, but the Wild actually did come out of the gate with energy, and some ability to move the puck. Unfortunately, two quick goals just before the midpoint of the period took all the wind out of Minnesota's sails.
- Casey Wellman. No, the kid didn't play. But after the way the Wild got trounced in Nashville, it wouldn't be surprising if he makes his NHL debut against Columbus. All the reports say that he's got a great shot, and has a very good chance of cracking the Wild roster next season. If he lives up to his potential, the Wild may have a verified second-line center, behind Mikko Koivu.
Game minuses:
- Josh Harding. The Wild netminder seemed bewildered at times, most notably on the third Nashville goal. In his defense, the shot just before had broken his chest protector, but Harding himself admitted to a mental lapse leading to the wide open net.
- Shots. Even with the game seemingly out of reach after a three-goal Nashville start, the Wild had a chance to scramble back into it. After all, this team has won games from similar deficits all season. However, you aren't going to crawl back into a hockey game when you only manage eight shots in the final two periods.
- Compete. The Wild started strong, and had a couple of early chances. Then Nashville scored twice in under two minutes, and the game was over. Minnesota never recovered, and for a team that needs to fight if they want to see postseason play, they just didn't have it. Ultimately, this might be a blessing in disguise, as the Wild would almost invariably fall in the first round this season, and they can definitely use a higher draft position to their advantage.
Next up: The Wild see if they can get back on track, taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
Monday, January 25, 2010
2009-10 Game Fifty-Two: Wild 4, Blue Jackets 2
Hockey Day Minnesota hasn't always treated the Minnesota Wild well, aside from giving them and their fans a ton of hockey to digest before the main course even gets set. Still, there's something special about the way that the state recognizes how important the sport is on so many levels, and there's definitely something special for the programs that got to share a network's day of programming with the NHL team.
Even better, the Minnesota Wild found a way to get things going early in the game, instead of waiting until they were down by a couple of goals and time was running out. The Wild played a solid game from the first drop of the puck, and challenged the Columbus Blue Jackets all night long. True, things sort of fell apart in the final minute of play, but, by that point, the Wild had already assembled a four goal lead, and were looking comfortable. The win also helped pull the Wild back within four points of eighth in the conference.
Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's top line was shaken up recently, in an attempt to revitalize the players. It seems to have worked, at least for Koivu, who had the first two goals of the game.
- Robbie Earl. The kid got thrown onto waivers before the Detroit game, and has scored in each game since. Nothing like feeling the pressure to help spark a talent.
- Niklas Backstrom. It was obvious Backstrom was deflated by the first Columbus goal, and that lead to the second goal. But it's easy to see why. Backstrom had played a solid game, and was twenty seconds away from a shutout before the puck bounced off his teammate into the net.
Game minuses:
- Power play. To think, this Wild team couldn't score even strength to start the season. Now they can't buy a power play goal, and, far too often, a Wild power play looks like a chance for the opposing team to get some shots on net.
- Kim Johnsson. Johnsson may be able to skate, but he doesn't play a physical game, and he has had more than his share of pucks bounce off of him and behind his own goaltender. It happened again against Columbus, and, whether it's positioning, puck awareness, or something else, something definitely has to change within Johnsson if he wants to be considered an elite defenseman.
- Odd-man rushes. The Wild seem to keep giving up great chances to their opponents, and they did it again to Columbus, most notably on an opportunity for R.J. Umberger to tie the game. Thankfully, Marek Zidlicky made a great play to break up the attack, but the Wild need to do more to keep those types of plays from happening.
Next up: The Wild get to relish their victory for a bit before taking to the ice on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Given that the Wild are still trying to catch the Wings in the standings, and how the last game between these teams went, Wednesday night should be interesting.
Even better, the Minnesota Wild found a way to get things going early in the game, instead of waiting until they were down by a couple of goals and time was running out. The Wild played a solid game from the first drop of the puck, and challenged the Columbus Blue Jackets all night long. True, things sort of fell apart in the final minute of play, but, by that point, the Wild had already assembled a four goal lead, and were looking comfortable. The win also helped pull the Wild back within four points of eighth in the conference.
Game pluses:
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's top line was shaken up recently, in an attempt to revitalize the players. It seems to have worked, at least for Koivu, who had the first two goals of the game.
- Robbie Earl. The kid got thrown onto waivers before the Detroit game, and has scored in each game since. Nothing like feeling the pressure to help spark a talent.
- Niklas Backstrom. It was obvious Backstrom was deflated by the first Columbus goal, and that lead to the second goal. But it's easy to see why. Backstrom had played a solid game, and was twenty seconds away from a shutout before the puck bounced off his teammate into the net.
Game minuses:
- Power play. To think, this Wild team couldn't score even strength to start the season. Now they can't buy a power play goal, and, far too often, a Wild power play looks like a chance for the opposing team to get some shots on net.
- Kim Johnsson. Johnsson may be able to skate, but he doesn't play a physical game, and he has had more than his share of pucks bounce off of him and behind his own goaltender. It happened again against Columbus, and, whether it's positioning, puck awareness, or something else, something definitely has to change within Johnsson if he wants to be considered an elite defenseman.
- Odd-man rushes. The Wild seem to keep giving up great chances to their opponents, and they did it again to Columbus, most notably on an opportunity for R.J. Umberger to tie the game. Thankfully, Marek Zidlicky made a great play to break up the attack, but the Wild need to do more to keep those types of plays from happening.
Next up: The Wild get to relish their victory for a bit before taking to the ice on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Given that the Wild are still trying to catch the Wings in the standings, and how the last game between these teams went, Wednesday night should be interesting.
Friday, January 22, 2010
2009-10 Game Fifty-One: Wild 3, Red Wings 4 (SO)
For it being the first game against the Detroit Red Wings this season, everything looked a little too familiar for the Minnesota Wild. They started out with a completely lackluster first period, followed by slowly turning on their game in the second. They waited to really start playing the game until the third, when they were down by a couple of goals. They closed the gap, but ultimately couldn't secure the two points. This time they took it to a shootout, but the Wild just couldn't stop a Red Wings team that has had it's own struggles this season.
And how about how the Wild goals were scored. Two of their goals were reviewed, due to the strange way that the puck entered the net. The goals ultimately counted, but only one of the Wild's goals was a skilled play. The other two were the benefit of hard work and crashing the net, something that the Wild need to do more frequently if they want to have much hope of trying to sneak into playoff positioning this season.
Game pluses:
- Josh Harding. He got his first start at home in over a year, but it was unfortunately short-lived, as an injury forced him out early. Still, when the Wild couldn't get things going, Harding did everything in his power to keep them in, and made some brilliant stops along the way.
- Andrew Brunette. The goal that tied the game was a beauty of a shot, and a fantastic play. Watching Brunette snag the puck out of the air, drop it to himself, and fire it into the net was magic.
- Brent Burns. While Detroit's second goal may rest squarely on the shoulders of Brent Burns, he was just coming back from a long-term injury, and ultimately played fairly well. He definitely provided a bit of a spark for a suffering Wild team.
Game minuses:
- Passing. The Wild couldn't make passes all night long. It seemed like half of the time that they had the puck, they moved it right off of their own stick, and straight to a Detroit stick. The number of Detroit breakaways was simply ridiculous.
- Slow start. Again, the Wild managed fewer than five shots in the first period. Coaches talk about playing 60 minutes of hockey, but that's often to keep teams from letting up at the end of the game. Minnesota is having struggles figuring out how to get their heads in the hockey mindset right from the initial face-off.
- Dump and chase. The Wild of previous seasons were a team that dumped the puck into the offensive zone, and then hoped to get it away from the defensive team. This year's Wild is supposed to be a team that controls the puck and attacks the zone with speed. Against the Red Wings, everything reverted to the dump and chase, and the Wild had to play catch-up all night long.
Next up: Maybe the atmosphere of Hockey Day in Minnesota will help the Wild out, as they cap the day's festivities with a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
And how about how the Wild goals were scored. Two of their goals were reviewed, due to the strange way that the puck entered the net. The goals ultimately counted, but only one of the Wild's goals was a skilled play. The other two were the benefit of hard work and crashing the net, something that the Wild need to do more frequently if they want to have much hope of trying to sneak into playoff positioning this season.
Game pluses:
- Josh Harding. He got his first start at home in over a year, but it was unfortunately short-lived, as an injury forced him out early. Still, when the Wild couldn't get things going, Harding did everything in his power to keep them in, and made some brilliant stops along the way.
- Andrew Brunette. The goal that tied the game was a beauty of a shot, and a fantastic play. Watching Brunette snag the puck out of the air, drop it to himself, and fire it into the net was magic.
- Brent Burns. While Detroit's second goal may rest squarely on the shoulders of Brent Burns, he was just coming back from a long-term injury, and ultimately played fairly well. He definitely provided a bit of a spark for a suffering Wild team.
Game minuses:
- Passing. The Wild couldn't make passes all night long. It seemed like half of the time that they had the puck, they moved it right off of their own stick, and straight to a Detroit stick. The number of Detroit breakaways was simply ridiculous.
- Slow start. Again, the Wild managed fewer than five shots in the first period. Coaches talk about playing 60 minutes of hockey, but that's often to keep teams from letting up at the end of the game. Minnesota is having struggles figuring out how to get their heads in the hockey mindset right from the initial face-off.
- Dump and chase. The Wild of previous seasons were a team that dumped the puck into the offensive zone, and then hoped to get it away from the defensive team. This year's Wild is supposed to be a team that controls the puck and attacks the zone with speed. Against the Red Wings, everything reverted to the dump and chase, and the Wild had to play catch-up all night long.
Next up: Maybe the atmosphere of Hockey Day in Minnesota will help the Wild out, as they cap the day's festivities with a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
2009-10 Game Thirty-Three: Wild 2, Blue Jackets 1
The Minnesota Wild made a brief stop at home Tuesday night, and faced their sister team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both teams are sitting around the same place in the standings right now, thanks to Columbus treading water while losing, and the Wild finding ways to put together points from most of their recent games. That trend continued, as both teams seemed ready to head into overtime until the Wild found their offense again, with under a minute remaining in the period.
In fact, the Wild offense started the game strong, but then started to fade as the periods wore on. The first period was played in a mere twenty-seven minutes from start to finish, but neither team could keep up that pace. This was troubling, as Minnesota also had jumped out to an early lead in shots on goal, but couldn't get things moving until Columbus had given themselves the one-goal advantage. Still, the Wild were able to do what they've done so many times this season, and they came from behind to get two points in the standings, putting them a mere four out of the top eight.
Game pluses:
- Guillaume Latendresse. Latendresse came to Minnesota in a trade with Montreal, and the Wild couldn't be happier, definitely getting the immediate advantage in effectiveness. Latendresse played a strong game, and took a Martin Havlat feed for the tying goal.
- Martin Havlat. Speaking of Martin Havlat, the guy may not be proclaiming himself as being "back" yet, but it's hard to argue with six points on the last seven Wild goals.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's captain did what he does best, and he had an assist both on Latendresse's goal, but also on Marek Zidlicky's game winner with under a minute remaining.
Game minuses:
- Playing from behind. Conventional wisdom says that giving up the first goal is a horrible thing, and yet this season's Wild team just seems to defy that, winning 11 of their 16 after trailing. Still, it would be nice to see the team play with a lead a little more frequently.
- Energy. Sure, the Wild has been on the road a lot so far this season, and that takes a toll. However, the way that Minnesota started the game should have lead to a huge lead that they could carry. Instead, they couldn't get clean shots on net, and couldn't keep the energy up once the second period started.
- Jason Chimera. Obviously still upset over a preseason hit from Eric Belanger, Chimera spent the third period taking runs at the Wild center, and jabbing him with his stick. Something needs to be done in the league when this kind of activity is allowed to occur unchecked (and no, the Wild aren't the only team it happens to).
Next up: Latendresse and the rest of the Wild head to Montreal to play the Canadiens Thursday night.
In fact, the Wild offense started the game strong, but then started to fade as the periods wore on. The first period was played in a mere twenty-seven minutes from start to finish, but neither team could keep up that pace. This was troubling, as Minnesota also had jumped out to an early lead in shots on goal, but couldn't get things moving until Columbus had given themselves the one-goal advantage. Still, the Wild were able to do what they've done so many times this season, and they came from behind to get two points in the standings, putting them a mere four out of the top eight.
Game pluses:
- Guillaume Latendresse. Latendresse came to Minnesota in a trade with Montreal, and the Wild couldn't be happier, definitely getting the immediate advantage in effectiveness. Latendresse played a strong game, and took a Martin Havlat feed for the tying goal.
- Martin Havlat. Speaking of Martin Havlat, the guy may not be proclaiming himself as being "back" yet, but it's hard to argue with six points on the last seven Wild goals.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's captain did what he does best, and he had an assist both on Latendresse's goal, but also on Marek Zidlicky's game winner with under a minute remaining.
Game minuses:
- Playing from behind. Conventional wisdom says that giving up the first goal is a horrible thing, and yet this season's Wild team just seems to defy that, winning 11 of their 16 after trailing. Still, it would be nice to see the team play with a lead a little more frequently.
- Energy. Sure, the Wild has been on the road a lot so far this season, and that takes a toll. However, the way that Minnesota started the game should have lead to a huge lead that they could carry. Instead, they couldn't get clean shots on net, and couldn't keep the energy up once the second period started.
- Jason Chimera. Obviously still upset over a preseason hit from Eric Belanger, Chimera spent the third period taking runs at the Wild center, and jabbing him with his stick. Something needs to be done in the league when this kind of activity is allowed to occur unchecked (and no, the Wild aren't the only team it happens to).
Next up: Latendresse and the rest of the Wild head to Montreal to play the Canadiens Thursday night.
Monday, December 14, 2009
2009-10 Game Thirty-Two: Wild 3, Canucks 4
The end of an extended road trip. The sixth game in eight days. Fresh off of an unlikely, but energetic win. It wouldn't surprise anyone if the Minnesota Wild had come out flat against the Vancouver Canucks, and skated quietly into the night. Instead, the Wild showed life, and, if it hadn't been for some very questionable officiating, the Wild might have finished their time away from Saint Paul with a 4-1 road mark.
However, regardless of the penalty status, the Wild did start off a bit slow, and that allowed the Canucks to get a quick jump. When given that opportunity, few take it as quickly or as efficiently as the Sedin twins, who put up huge nights against Minnesota. It certainly didn't help that the Wild penalty kill was as strong as wet paper, and that Josh Harding played one of his worst games in awhile. Still, the Wild didn't shut down, and made a game of it, continually fighting to get back into it. This is drastically different from the team that began this season.
Game pluses:
- Martin Havlat. Havlat definitely looks like he's found his game. After playing a part in both Wild goals against Calgary, he followed up by notching a goal and two assists. The last two games, Havlat has been the catalyst for the offense, and this can only help the team.
- Faceoffs. The Wild won over 70% of the faceoffs against the Canucks, and that number helped create an exciting end to the game. Unfortunately, Minnesota didn't do enough to capitalize on that puck possession advantage.
- Surprising contributions. Who would have guessed that, before Havlat, the Wild goal scorers would be Greg Zanon and Shane Hnidy? Both defensemen scooped up fantastic feeds from Martin Havlat, and put terrific shots into the net.
Game minuses:
- Game ownership. The Wild had the advantage in faceoffs, in shots, and, in many ways, in control of the game when playing it five-on-five. And yet they stopped moving the puck, instead relying on the method of shooting pucks straight into the goaltender's body. The Wild need to get better about getting the opposing goalie moving, or getting shots on net that are likely to create rebounds.
- Josh Harding. True, Harding played the game while battling an illness, and that may have contributed to his poor showing. He also didn't secure the posts, and dropped into his butterfly far too quickly. Vancouver knew it, and they showed it by putting shots up and towards the corners.
- Special teams. The Wild got victimized by questionable penalties, but didn't do enough to kill off Vancouver power plays. When they got their chance with the man advantage, including a full four minutes, they retreated to the old system of making too many passes, and not getting enough shots on net. Now that the rest of the game seems to be clicking, it might be time for the Wild to look seriously at their special teams, and figure out what needs to be done to make them work again.
Next up: The Wild return home for one game, facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
However, regardless of the penalty status, the Wild did start off a bit slow, and that allowed the Canucks to get a quick jump. When given that opportunity, few take it as quickly or as efficiently as the Sedin twins, who put up huge nights against Minnesota. It certainly didn't help that the Wild penalty kill was as strong as wet paper, and that Josh Harding played one of his worst games in awhile. Still, the Wild didn't shut down, and made a game of it, continually fighting to get back into it. This is drastically different from the team that began this season.
Game pluses:
- Martin Havlat. Havlat definitely looks like he's found his game. After playing a part in both Wild goals against Calgary, he followed up by notching a goal and two assists. The last two games, Havlat has been the catalyst for the offense, and this can only help the team.
- Faceoffs. The Wild won over 70% of the faceoffs against the Canucks, and that number helped create an exciting end to the game. Unfortunately, Minnesota didn't do enough to capitalize on that puck possession advantage.
- Surprising contributions. Who would have guessed that, before Havlat, the Wild goal scorers would be Greg Zanon and Shane Hnidy? Both defensemen scooped up fantastic feeds from Martin Havlat, and put terrific shots into the net.
Game minuses:
- Game ownership. The Wild had the advantage in faceoffs, in shots, and, in many ways, in control of the game when playing it five-on-five. And yet they stopped moving the puck, instead relying on the method of shooting pucks straight into the goaltender's body. The Wild need to get better about getting the opposing goalie moving, or getting shots on net that are likely to create rebounds.
- Josh Harding. True, Harding played the game while battling an illness, and that may have contributed to his poor showing. He also didn't secure the posts, and dropped into his butterfly far too quickly. Vancouver knew it, and they showed it by putting shots up and towards the corners.
- Special teams. The Wild got victimized by questionable penalties, but didn't do enough to kill off Vancouver power plays. When they got their chance with the man advantage, including a full four minutes, they retreated to the old system of making too many passes, and not getting enough shots on net. Now that the rest of the game seems to be clicking, it might be time for the Wild to look seriously at their special teams, and figure out what needs to be done to make them work again.
Next up: The Wild return home for one game, facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
2009-10 Game One: Wild 1, Blue Jackets 2
The wait finally ended Saturday night. While it may have only been a few months ago that the Pittsburgh Penguins lifted the Stanley Cup over their heads, the wait has been a long one for Wild fans. Gone was the brain trust that turned the Wild into a very successful expansion club, but then couldn't seem to get out of first gear to make them into a perennial Cup contender. Gone was the most electrifying player to wear a Wild jersey, provided that his fragile body could hold up to the rigors of a season. Gone was the only coach the Wild had ever known.
In their place, Wild fans were treated to a new front office, new coaching, and some new stars on the ice. A troubled pre-season kept the team from skating as a full unit until the tail end, but Saturday everything started anew. What would Wild fans see?
They would see that the team still has some growing pains to go through.
The Wild are a talented hockey club. They should be better this year than they were last year, and they should be much more competitive. But for that to happen, they need to learn and embrace the new system being put into place, and, when the brain starts shutting down, they need to just play hockey. Going up against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wild showed flashes of just what type of hockey Minnesota fans can expect later in the season. Wild fans need to be patient, but the team itself needs to keep pushing. After all, tonight is the home opener, where the Wild have never lost.
Game pluses:
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild's star goaltender once again did exactly what the team expected of him. While the two goals he gave up weren't terrific goals by a long shot, Backstrom would have had to have been beyond superhuman to make the stops.
- Martin Havlat. Havlat showed some of what he can do with the puck, turning Columbus players inside out. Unfortunately, he was also part of the miscue that led to the first Columbus goal.
- Andrew Brunette. Brunette played a solid game, and was able to put his 600th point of his career into the net. He worked well with Havlat and Mikko Koivu, but how long will it be before Petr Sykora and he switch lines?
Game minuses:
- Stick problems. The Wild couldn't seem to keep sticks. Cal Clutterbuck especially found himself without a stick more than once, either because he lost his own, or because he had to give his away to the defense.
- Defense. What had been the typical strong point for the Wild in years past looked confused and a shambles against Columbus. How much is due to still learning the new system remains to be seen.
- Learning curve. As mentioned above, the defense didn't look confident. The offense also wasn't completely with it. Once the new system is learned, the Wild should be a much more high-powered team. However, as long as the transition continues, fans may see more confusing plays than dazzling ones.
Next up: The Wild pit their 7-0-1 record in home openers against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off of a 4-1 loss. The game also marks the first time this season for Mikko Koivu to skate against his big brother, Saku, who turned down the Wild this summer.
In their place, Wild fans were treated to a new front office, new coaching, and some new stars on the ice. A troubled pre-season kept the team from skating as a full unit until the tail end, but Saturday everything started anew. What would Wild fans see?
They would see that the team still has some growing pains to go through.
The Wild are a talented hockey club. They should be better this year than they were last year, and they should be much more competitive. But for that to happen, they need to learn and embrace the new system being put into place, and, when the brain starts shutting down, they need to just play hockey. Going up against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wild showed flashes of just what type of hockey Minnesota fans can expect later in the season. Wild fans need to be patient, but the team itself needs to keep pushing. After all, tonight is the home opener, where the Wild have never lost.
Game pluses:
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild's star goaltender once again did exactly what the team expected of him. While the two goals he gave up weren't terrific goals by a long shot, Backstrom would have had to have been beyond superhuman to make the stops.
- Martin Havlat. Havlat showed some of what he can do with the puck, turning Columbus players inside out. Unfortunately, he was also part of the miscue that led to the first Columbus goal.
- Andrew Brunette. Brunette played a solid game, and was able to put his 600th point of his career into the net. He worked well with Havlat and Mikko Koivu, but how long will it be before Petr Sykora and he switch lines?
Game minuses:
- Stick problems. The Wild couldn't seem to keep sticks. Cal Clutterbuck especially found himself without a stick more than once, either because he lost his own, or because he had to give his away to the defense.
- Defense. What had been the typical strong point for the Wild in years past looked confused and a shambles against Columbus. How much is due to still learning the new system remains to be seen.
- Learning curve. As mentioned above, the defense didn't look confident. The offense also wasn't completely with it. Once the new system is learned, the Wild should be a much more high-powered team. However, as long as the transition continues, fans may see more confusing plays than dazzling ones.
Next up: The Wild pit their 7-0-1 record in home openers against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off of a 4-1 loss. The game also marks the first time this season for Mikko Koivu to skate against his big brother, Saku, who turned down the Wild this summer.
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