Minnesota Wild (34-22-7) 75pts 4th in Central
2.36 Goals For (24th)
2.38 Goals Against (6th)
18.8% Power Play (16th)
80.8% Penalty Kill (19th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #29 Jason Pominville ~ 22G 20A = 42pts
2. #11 Zach Parise ~ 21G 18A = 39pts
3. #26 Matt Moulson ~ 17G 22A = 39pts
4. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 8G 28A = 36pts
5. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 6G 28A = 34pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #4 Clayton Stoner ~ 78 PIM's
2. #24 Matt Cooke ~ 52 PIM's
3. #8 Cody McCormick ~ 45 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #35 Darcy Kuemper (11-4-2) 2.29GAA .922%SP 2SO
2. #30 Ilya Bryzgalov (5-8-5) 3.01GAA .908%SP
Vs.
St. Louis Blues (43-14-6) 92pts 1st in Central
3.19 Goals For (3rd)
2.22 Goals Against (3rd)
20.8% Power Play (5th)
86.0% Penalty Kill (3rd)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #20 Alexander Steen ~ 29G 20A = 49pts
2. #74 T.J. Oshie ~ 15G 34A = 49pts
3. #9 Jaden Schwartz ~ 19G 28A = 47pts
4. #42 David Backes ~ 21G 24A = 45pts
5. #27 Alex Pieterangelo ~ 6G 37A = 43pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #42 David Backes ~ 87 PIM's
2. #75 Ryan Reaves ~ 80 PIM's
3. #5 Barrett Jackman ~ 58 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #39 Ryan Miller (19-22-3) 2.61GAA .924%SP
2. #1 Brian Elliott (15-5-2) 2.08GAA .917%SP 3SO
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Well, if you read yesterday's game preview you were well warned not to get too excited or to expect a win. And as I predicted, we were once again disappointed in Dallas. I don't know about you, but as a fan, my heart had already been ripped out of my chest before the game, then to only have it trampled upon during and after the game. There were a few times during the game that I felt like maybe, just maybe the Wild would pull it off. However, the minute the officials tagged a charging major and a game misconduct on Erik Haula, you just knew that once again the hockey gods were not smiling on the Wild. In fact, if the refs had watched the replay, they would know that technically, the call was beyond wrong. Haula shouldn't have been tagged, in fact the Wild should have been on the power play (or even more dramatic, a penalty shot should have been awarded as Haula was hooked while trying to get a shot off). Of course if that had happened, I think American Airlines Arena would have imploded. Thankfully some smarter types at the league have seen the video, and no further discipline will be coming Haula's way. But since the Devil himself, Norm Green, was at last night's game, I think there were darker forces at play, hence last night's result.
If you watched last night's game on Fox Sports North, you of course were subjected to the tragic broadcasting styling of Anthony LaPanta and Mike Greenlay. One thing they kept bringing up in regards to the standings was that Minnesota had a game in hand on Dallas. Well guess what you buffoons, that game in hand, goes away tonight. As if that wasn't bad enough, that game that Minnesota had, has to be played against the team with the fewest losses (14 regulation, 6 overtime) in the league. Hooray. Feeling bad yet? Well it gets even better. Remember the deal that sent Ryan Miller to St. Louis? Well since his debut with the Blues, he's a perfect 4-0-0. And the games haven't exactly been easy ones either. Yesterday's game against the Colorado Avalanche definitely tested his ability. It's clear to anyone who watches hockey, that the change of scenery and a fantastic team in front of him, has boosted Miller's self-confidence. I will also be shocked if St. Louis doesn't now make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. I don't like playing the Blues, but they are definitely a team that deserves their time in the limelight.
All I can hope for tonight, is that whatever ills them in Dallas was left in Dallas. Minnesota cannot afford some sort of lingering malaise creeping into tonight's game. Who knows, just like Miller has found new life with the Blues, perhaps we can get the same from Ilya Bryzgalov, who is slated to make his Wild debut tonight. St. Louis will have come to play. If the Wild cannot come out with a bit of anger in their game, they might as well just hand over tonight's two points, which in turn will further close the gap between Minnesota and Dallas. I was feeling good about how the Wild were playing after the Olympic break, but after last night and looking ahead, those good feelings have evaporated. If the Wild want a legitimate hope of seeing post-season play, they need to concentrate on winning their own games. Sure, they'll need some help from teams out of the playoff picture taking down those who are in the hunt for one of the Wild Card slots, but the best way to guarantee a spot, is to do it yourself. I'm not a fan of making it in because other teams in the hunt failed more than Minnesota. Team earn their place. They are not given a spot. Time for the Wild to pull themselves up, and do it the right way.
And hopefully we never have to see Norm Green's smirking face ever again.
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