Game #57: Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday February 16, 2011 at 7:00pm CST, United Center [GAME PREVIEW]

“How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man?  How many seas does a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand?  Yes, how many times must the cannon balls fly, before they’re forever banned?  The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind,” those are the words from legendary rock-n-roll folk singer (and Minnesotan) Bob Dylan.  With the trade winds starting to pick up across the NHL, and the races in both the Eastern and Western Conferences getting tighter and more contentious each day the questions will inevitably be asked about whether the Minnesota Wild should or should not get involved.  The Ottawa Senators ship Chris Kelly to the Boston Bruins for a 2nd round pick, and the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Kris Versteeg for a 1st round and 3rd round pick in 2011.  There have already been 3 different trades that have featured 1st round selections, do the Wild really wish to get into these types of transactions?  I don’t think so.  Especially when you’re still trying to build up the prospect pool and you’re hosting the NHL Entry Draft this summer. 

After last night’s 4-1 loss to arch rival Vancouver, the defeat on the outside appear as a depressing reminder of where the Wild are in the Western Conference standings.  Currently in 10th place, the loss last night also evaporated the team’s advantage of holding games in hand on most of the Western Conference.  If you watched the game though there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic.  The Wild in many ways outplayed and outworked perhaps the best team in the NHL.  The Canucks did not have their best game, but Minnesota had a number of near-miss opportunities.  As the old saying goes “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” the near-miss stuff may come off as weak or being a homer but it was true.  NHL Network’s nightly highlight program NHL on the Fly broadcasters David Amber and former Red Wings great defenseman Larry Murphy said as much.  The Canucks stole a game last night, but to their credit, that’s what great teams do.  In the 3rd period when Vancouver was content to sit back in a very passive 1-2-2 trap as they defended their lead, credit must be given to their blueliners for repeatedly lifting the sticks of crashing Wild forwards who were lurking for rebounds and denying Minnesota of being able to cash in on the 2nd chances opportunities that could have very well allowed the Wild to get back into the game.  Wild head coach Todd Richards told reporters at his post-game press conference that he was very satisfied by the team’s effort and that in the 3rd period he really felt his team was playing great.  I have to agree, all game long they were playing with a clear sense of urgency but their effort was simply not being rewarded and that happens sometimes. 

I would be far more concerned if the Wild came out flat last night and were in general just unprepared mentally and physically to compete.  They wanted that game; from Martin Havlat being assertive and creative with the puck to Clayton Stoner stepping up and keeping the biscuit in the offensive zone time after time.  Minnesota has another tough challenge as they will be facing a very desperate Chicago Blackhawks squad that currently sits right behind them in 11th place.  The Blackhawks have been very inconsistent and much of it has to do with its play between the pipes.  Chicago certainly has the talent offensively to put most other teams to shame, including the Wild (although that isn’t saying much) but defensively they’ve been suspect and their penalty kill has been atrocious.  Their top scorers have been held in check far too often but they could always deliver a breakout performance and that is what Minnesota Wild will have to guard against this evening.  The Wild certainly have the ability to win this game and in all honesty they need to earn two points in regulation and not allow Chicago to salvage any mercy points.  A win against the Blackhawks will restore any confidence lost in the Vancouver defeat as well as distance themselves from a dangerous potential chaser down the stretch for the post-season. 

The back to back has had mixed results for the Wild thus far, but this team has managed some great things on the road.  Its time they give the United Center a sampling of its road magic.        

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