2009-10 Playoff Previews: Western Quarterfinals

With half of the hockey world looked at yesterday, it's time to turn the attention to the West. Teams in the Western Conference may not have quite the star power of their Eastern counterparts, but that doesn't make them lesser teams. Quite the opposite, in fact, as many of the teams in the West are often viewed as being stronger, more physical, and better rounded. Of course, the West also currently houses the team that has become known more for its playoff collapses than for their in-season success.

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche
The San Jose Sharks spent the early part of the season looking like they were going to do exactly what Washington did in the East. However, instead of running away with the conference, the Sharks had to fend off some late pressure in the form of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks are a team that has some fantastic forwards (Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley), solid goaltender (Evgeni Nabokov), and consistent defense. Because the Sharks had a challenge to keep the top spot, they should be a little better prepared than in year's past.

The Colorado Avalanche, on the other hand, didn't know if they would be in the playoffs until an impressive shoot-out win capped an unbelievable season for them. Matt Duchesne, a rookie who is getting serious Calder Trophy consideration, has helped to power the Avalance to an over-achieving season. Too bad for Colorado that they won't be able to survive against the San Jose onslaught, as the Sharks will dispatch the Avalanche in 5.

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators
Chicago has to hope that this year is the year they take home the heavy hardware, because, with the salary cap, a number of players are going to be wearing different jerseys next season. The Blackhawks spent, and it allowed them to put together a very strong team. Obviously, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are expected to shoulder a lot of Chicago's offense, and Marian Hossa is hungry for his first championship, after coming in second two years in a row. The question for Chicago remains how their goaltending will hold up, as it's been the most suspect position for them on the ice.

The Nashville Predators, on the other hand, have just quietly gone about their business, and put together a nice season. In the East, they might even be looking at home-ice advantage, but the West is the tougher conference, and the Predators know it. However, Nashville has yet to win a playoff game on the road. They should pull one out this season, but don't be surprised to see the Blackhawks send the Predators home in 6.

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings
The Vancouver Canucks have the NHL's top scorer, his twin brother, and solid defense and goaltending. They also have a player who might be on the NHL's own hitlist, especially given the way that Alex Burrows called out NHL officiating earlier this season (admittedly, with more than a fair reason). The Canucks will have to avoid getting into penalty trouble, which could be tough for them. Meanwhile, Roberto Luongo needs to be stellar in net, and he has a tendency to become merely human in high-pressure games.

The Los Angeles Kings, much like the Chicago Blackhawks, are one of those teams full of youth, size, and speed. They play a style of hockey that fits more closely with that played in the Eastern Conference, and they can pepper the net with shots. The Kings will need to take advantage of the Canucks early, and give themselves chances right away, otherwise Vancouver will lock the game down with their defensive play. All told, though, the Kings should prove triumphant, defeating Vancouver in 7.

#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs #5 Detroit Red Wings
The Phoenix Coyotes come into the playoffs the NHL's most-improved team. After dismal showings in past seasons, Dave Tippett and his coaching staff turned the team around, and molded them into a strong playoff contender. Unfortunately, everything good that has come to the Coyotes has been tinged by wonderings about how much the league has affected the outcome of games for the team that they own. If Phoenix wasn't owned by the NHL, their achievements wouldn't even be suspect. As it is, the Coyotes are definitely coming into the playoffs much better than anyone gave them reason to expect.

Too bad that their running into the Detroit Red Wings. Earlier this season, the Red Wings looked like a team that wasn't going to even make the playoffs, or might sneak in with the #8 spot. Then injured players returned, the team allowed Jimmy Howard to become a star goaltender, and Detroit rattled off a fantastic close to the season. They enter the playoffs the NHL's hottest team, and they aren't looking to go home in the first round after coming in second last year, and winning it all the year before. Expect that Detroit will handle Phoenix in 5 games.

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.

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.

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.

2009-10 Game Twenty-Eight: Wild 5, Predators 3

There's something strange that happens when the Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators get together. Teams known for defensive stands put together offensive flurries, and no goal is safe from the onslaught. In two games, the Wild and Predators had put 16 goals up. After three games, that total was 24.

The Wild had to survive a rough start, when they spent almost half of the first period on the penalty kill. However, Nashville only burned them once, and, surprisingly, at the end of the period, the Wild held a one-goal lead. That confidence carried them into the second period, and they had enough of a lead going into the third that their late-game mistakes didn't hurt as badly as they could have. The Wild now have a five-game winning streak, a seven-game points streak, and are surprisingly only five points back from the #8 team in the conference.

Game pluses:
- Josh Harding. True, Harding didn't keep things together in the third period, but he was strong throughout the rest of the game, shutting down Nashville's scorers with some brilliant saves.
- Martin Havlat. Havlat has been much maligned this season, but he may be finding his groove. After his second assist, he looked like a different player on the ice, making moves more reminiscent of his play last year with Chicago.
- Transition hockey. The Wild was able to apply a forecheck, and they were pouncing on Nashville turnovers, playing very opportunistic hockey.

Game minuses:
- Quick deficit. Yet again, the Wild gave up the first goal of the game, and yet again, they had to come from behind. Give them credit for composure, though, for not folding.
- Penalty march. The first period could, and probably should, have been much worse for Minnesota, as four defensemen made foolish mistakes for four quick Nashville powerplays.
- Late let down. Maybe it was the four-goal lead. Maybe it was playing back-to-back games. Either way, the Wild didn't turn in a very strong third period. The four-goal differential was almost the only thing that kept the Wild from giving the game away.

Next up: The Wild road trip continues, as they head to Phoenix to play the Coyotes. Will the Wild have better success in Arizona than the Vikings did?

2009-10 Game Twenty-Six: Wild 5, Predators 4 (OT)

The recent string of points gained by the Minnesota Wild can largely be attributed to a couple of things. First, the players that have been with the team all season long are starting to understand the new system, and few show that as well as Mikko Koivu. Second, the new acquisitions brought in by Chuck Fletcher are coming in with fire, something to prove, and some good puck awareness.

In a game where the Wild got their first three-goal first period of the season, and then turned in such an awful second period that they started giving the game away, the pieces all fell together in the end, with long-time Wild players and guys that have only been with Minnesota for a few weeks keying off of each other for a big win in a tightly played game. Of course, this recent surge is going to make things harder on some players once the team recovers from it's injuries, as some of the new guys might be making some other players previously considered "safe" into tradeable commodities.

Game pluses:
- Guillaume Latendresse. Since being traded, Latendresse has barely even been able to practice with his new team. He's still been putting together some great hockey, with a strong forecheck, a decent shot, and physical play. His goal against the Predators was the result of great patience, and, if it hadn't been for hitting three posts in the game, he would have been able to score more, including a great chance at the end of the third period.
- Andrew Ebbett. Another player that felt he had something to prove, Ebbett has been big recently, scoring the Wild's only goal against Boston, getting the shootout clincher against Colorado, and scooping up Latendresse's rebound in overtime for the winning goal against Nashville. Imagine what might have been if the Wild had claimed him the first time he was on waivers.
- Mikko Koivu. Heck, the dance after his power play goal alone would have landed him here. Koivu is playing some of his best hockey right now, and he's leading a Wild team that suddenly looks like they're surging in the standings.

Game minuses:
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild's netminder had a very atypical game against the Predators, giving up goals that normally would be easy saves. The most glaring example came on Jason Arnott's second goal of the game.
- Returning players. Antti Miettinen aside, and the players who found themselves back in the line-up for Minnesota did not have great games. Neither Marek Zidlicky nor Kim Johnsson had good puck movement in the defensive end, and Martin Havlat looked like he was still struggling with his hamstring issues, limiting his mobility.
- Second period. After playing a strong first period, the Wild shut down in the second, only putting three shots on goal. Not good, considering they had found weaknesses in the Nashville defense during the first twenty minutes, and simply needed to continue exploiting them.

Next up: The Wild look to continue their points streak on Friday night, taking on the Anaheim Ducks.

2009-10 Game Twenty-Five: Wild 3, Avalanche 2 (SO)

While it wasn't a standard back-to-back situation for the second game of the home-and-home series between Minnesota and Colorado, the game did carry some of the main symptoms. Both teams jumped out trying to get a fast start. There was a bit of a drag in the middle, and then the end came with some flurries and some lucky bounces. At stake were big divisional points, and the Avalanche were trying to solve the Wild, as Minnesota had beaten Colorado in both previous games.

Well, the answer still isn't there for Colorado, as Minnesota overcame a 2-goal deficit, some weird bounces, and, for one player at least, a lack of practice to defeat the Avalanche for the third time this season. The injuries and illnesses that the Wild have faced have led to the team already having a different look than the one presented at the beginning of the season, but that look, high energy, physical, and offensively-minded, is starting to show positive results.

Game pluses:
- Guillaume Latendresse. For a guy who wasn't getting a lot of looks in Montreal, and didn't get the chance to practice with his new teammates, he played well. Not only did he get the game-tying goal, but he played a basic yet physical brand of hockey, which should net him some quick fans.
- Andrew Ebbett. True, his goal in the shootout was a lot of luck, but Ebbett also had a goal waved off in the third period after it bounced of his glove. Ebbett is able to create opportunites by showing an awareness for getting to the front of the net.
- Josh Harding. Harding came up big, keeping the Wild in the game when mistakes created Colorado chances.

Game minuses:
- Opportunity. The Wild had a number of chances at wide-open nets, but they couldn't seem to put the puck where it counted until late. If the Wild had converted, they would have easily taken the game in regulation.
- Power play. True, a lot of the Wild's main power play guys were out of the line-up, but the team just looked like they were floundering. It certainly didn't make things any better that, if it hadn't been for a huge save by Harding, the Wild would have given up their sixth shorthanded goal of the season.
- Kim Johnsson. One thing that has plagued Wild defensemen this season is stick awareness. It hurt Nick Schultz when he redirected the puck into his own net earlier this season. It hurt Johnsson when he tripped Harding in this game, practically giving Colorado the two goal lead. Johnsson also misplayed the puck more than a few times, including on the cough-up that almost gave Colorado the shortie.

Next up: The Wild may not want to leave Colorado or the Avalanche behind, but they return to St. Paul to face the Nashville Predators on Wednesday evening.

2009-10 Game Twelve: Wild 3, Predators 4

This Minnesota Wild team will get better. They will play hard for 60 minutes, and apply a strong offense. They will have a forecheck to be reckoned with, and the goaltending will be stellar. The defense will help out, and the stars on the team will be allowed to shine.

But right now, and until that happens, watching the games could be difficult for more fair-weather fans. Part of what the previous regime did to the Wild through consistent competitiveness is to strip the cupboard bare, and the Wild aren't keeping pace with other teams when it comes to young talent. Add to that an extremely road-heavy schedule to start the season, and it isn't much of a shock that the Wild had barely any fire, even after a goal-scoring flurry in the second period. The team needs a win badly, and they need some confidence, but they're skating on tired legs after having lived on a plane for the first month of the season. The tide will turn, but how long will Wild fans give the team before the sell-out streak ends?

Game pluses:
- Owen Nolan. The oldest member of the team is still showing that he wants to get the Wild going in the right direction, and his skate-to-stick play leading to his goal was an example of what kind of puck handling skills he can possess.
- John Scott. The big defenseman almost put the puck in the net, most notably during a scrum in front. The fact that Scott was heading to the goal mouth is a great sign. Hopefully, the rest of the Wild pay attention to this.
- Opening of the second period. For three minutes, the Wild showed just what kind of team they can be. However, after firing off three quick shots, getting three goals, and chasing the Nashville netminder, the Wild sat back on their heels, waiting to give the lead back.

Game minuses:
- Niklas Backstrom. Plenty of times this young season, Backstrom has kept the Wild in games. Against Nashville, he was one of the big reasons that they were out of it, giving up three relatively soft goals, which is something he doesn't do often.
- James Sheppard. While the officials certainly didn't help, Sheppard once again showed a lack of awareness of his surroundings, or what he was doing with his stick.
- Possession. The Wild couldn't keep the puck on their sticks. One of the more glaring times came when Marek Zidlicky got his pocket picked on the way to Nashville's game-winning shorthanded goal, but none of the Wild seemed to have a good handle on the puck.

Next up: The Wild have their work cut out for them, but they get to stay home through Friday, when they take on the New York Rangers. Former Wild star Marian Gaborik is currently sitting with an injury, so he may be out of the line-up, which would be a bit of a blessing for the Wild, given that Gaborik is leading the Rangers in scoring thus far.

2009-10 Game Eleven: Wild 1, Blackhawks 3

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.