Game #66: Minnesota Wild vs Detroit Red Wings, Thursday March 11, 2010 at 6:30pm (CST), Joe Louis Arena [GAME PREVIEW]

After Tuesday night’s debacle against the Panthers, one can only imagine which version of the Wild will show up at Joe Louis Arena this evening.  One also has to wonder why yesterday’s practice was an optional one.  Even worse, only nine players (seven skaters, two goaltenders, and no coach) showed up.  Did the rest of the roster think they played the best they could and didn’t need to show up?  I would be far less cynical and less critical of the team had more players made an appearance at practice.  Yes, it was an optional practice, but when you perform like you did Tuesday night, there should have been nothing optional about it.  Plus, all injured, scratched, and suspended players should have been in attendance.  If you ever had problems with an assignment at work (or school), your boss (or teacher) doesn’t tell you that attendance the next day is optional.  You better be there and there better be an improvement in your work performance.  Funny how it doesn’t work that way in professional sports.

What’s almost as bothersome, is when a player like Andrew Brunette says making the playoffs is still possible.  Yes, it’s possible, but it’s not realistic especially after the past three games.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I usually agree with Brunette.  However, in this instance I would almost prefer him to say, “let’s just try to end this season with our heads held high and forget the playoffs.”  Right now, the players are looking too far ahead.  They need to focus on the game in front of them, and look only as far ahead as their next shift on the ice.  The rest of the month is tough, but right now all they need to think about is Detroit.  Not the playoffs.

Looking ahead to tonight’s game, pretty much all one has to know is that not only is it against the Detroit Red Wings, but it’s at Joe Louis Arena.  Three wins in the past eight match-ups with the Red Wings does not bode well for this evening’s performance.  Compared to Minnesota, Detroit has found success since the Olympic break.  Considering that they’re in that constant battle for eighth place in the Western Conference with Calgary, Detroit will do everything possible to get tonight’s win.  Two teams fighting for their very lives should be interesting, however you almost have to wonder if Minnesota has any fight left in them.  For the Red Wings to miss the playoffs would be beyond depressing for fans in that extremely financially depressed city.

Just like I had a bad feeling about Tuesday’s game against Florida, I have a bad feeling about tonight’s game as well.  No, I’m not psychic.  One doesn’t need any mystical powers to know that the Wild are essentially finished for the season.  The moments of brilliance we saw this season were few and far between.  Time to look forward to the draft and free agency.  Hopefully we’ll find some success there.  Wouldn’t that be a novel concept for this team?