Minnesota Wild (21-17-5) 47pts 5th in the Central
2.23 Goals For (29th)
2.46 Goals Against (12th)
18.4% Power Play (13th)
79.6% Penalty Kill (24th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 8G 25A = 33pts
2. #29 Jason Pominville ~ 18G 11A = 29pts
3. #11 Zach Parise ~ 15G 12A = 27pts
4. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 2G 24A = 26pts
5. #22 Nino Niederreiter ~ 7G 13A = 20pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #4 Clayton Stoner ~ 39 PIM's
2. #2 Keith Ballard ~ 31 PIM's
3. #22 Nino Niederreiter ~ 24 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #37 Josh Harding (18-7-3) 1.65GAA .933%SP 3SO
2. #32 Niklas Backstrom (3-9-2) 3.16GAA .896%SP
Vs.
Washington Capitals (20-15-6) 46pts 2nd in the Metropolitan
2.85 Goals For (9th)
2.90 Goals Against (24th)
25.0% Power Play (2nd)
81.9% Penalty Kill (16th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #19 Nicklas Backstrom ~ 10G 35A = 45pts
2. #8 Alexander Ovechkin ~ 31G 11A = 42pts
3. #84 Mikhal Grabovkski ~ 11G 19A = 30pts
4. #90 Marcus Johansson ~ 5G 22A = 27pts
5. #42 Joel Ward ~ 12G 11A = 23pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #43 Tom Wilson ~ 85 PIM's
2. #20 Troy Brouwer ~ 56 PIM's
3. #61 Steve Oleksy ~ 51 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #70 Brayden Holtby (13-10-2) 3.00GAA .915%SP 1SO
2. #31 Phillip Grubauer (5-2-3) 2.20GAA .932%SP
3. #30 Michael Neuwirth (2-3-1) 2.83GAA .912%SP
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I'm going to say this right here and now, and I don't care what the hockey experts or Capitals fans think, but here it goes. The Washington Capitals are a team that can be beat, even by the "lowly" Minnesota Wild. Yes, they have Alexander Ovechkin on their roster, but it doesn't mean that he's Superman. Yes, he has a fantastic teammate in Nicklas Backstrom, but he's not a super hero either. Every team can be beat. No team is invincible. And that my friends is what the Wild need to realize.
Tonight marks the end of the Wild's current four-game homestand. Between the embarassing loss to the Islanders (I think that one is going to haunt me for a long time) and an expected loss to St. Louis, the win Thursday night against the Sabres was like a balm to one's soul. It felt good to break that six-game regulation loss streak. Yes, it was Buffalo, but a win is a win is a win. And I'll take it. The Wild desperately need to build off that win, and take that feeling into tonight's game. Minnesota desperately needs to get 4 out of the possible 8 points from this recent home stand, especially since the next two game are not going to be fun: Los Angeles and Phoenix on the road.
Now, let's take a look at why Washington is beatable. First, let's look at their last ten games. The Capitals, are currently 3-3-4 in those last ten games. Sure, we're not much better at 3-7-0. however the point is in our last ten games, both teams have only won three of their games. For a team like Washington where we hear about how great they are, that's not a record to boast about. Then to make things even more interesting, let's look at the respective points and division standings for each team. Right now, Minnesota is in fifth place in the Central Division with 47 points and a 21-17-5 record. Compare that with Washington. The Capitals are in second place in the pathetic Metropolitan Division with 46 points and a 20-15-6 record. Really, are we supposed to be shaking in our boots with those kinds of stats? I think not. Sure, Ovechkin is the only player in the league right now with 30 or more goals with his 31 goals, but he's one man. Minnesota has been able to keep star players off the scoresheet, and tonight would be a great night to do just that. I suppose I should prepare for some hate coming from Capitals fans, but hey, sometimes the truth hurts.
I'm trying to be optimistic about the Wild's chances. They can win this game, and I need to keep reminding myself that. Hopefully, the team keeps reminding themselves that and play like that. They need to come out with energy and confidence. They need to play with urgency. And they need to play like they're completely in charge of the game at all times.
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