Minnesota Wild (35-23-10) 80pts 4th in the Central
2.32 Goals For (28th)
2.37 Goals Against (5th)
18.2% Power Play (16th)
80.6% Penalty Kill (22nd)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #29 Jason Pominville ~ 26G 22A = 48pts
2. #11 Zach Parise ~ 23G 21A = 44pts
3. #26 Matt Moulson ~18G 22A = 40pts
4. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 8G 29A = 37pts
5. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 6G 31A = 37pts
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 (12-5-4) 2.22GAA .923%SP 2SO
2. #30 Ilya Bryzgalov (5-8-6) 2.95GAA .908%SP 1SO
Vs.
New York Islanders (26-34-9) 61pts 8th in the Metropolitan
2.74 Goals For (15th)
3.32 Goals Against (30th)
16.9% Power Play (18th)
77.3% Penalty Kill (29th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #21 Kyle Okposo ~ 27G 42A = 69pts
2. #51 Frans Nielsen ~ 22G 27A = 49pts
3. #12 Josh Bailey ~ 6G 21A = 27pts
4. #40 Michael Grabner ~ 12G 13A = 25pts
5. #29 Brock Nelson ~ 12G 12A = 24pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #7 Matt Carkner ~ 108 PIM's
2. #36 Matt Boulton ~ 88 PIM's
3. #17 Matt Martin ~ 86 PIM's
Top Goaltenders:
1. #20 Evgeni Nabokov (12-14-6) 2.96GAA .898%SP 2SO
2. #60 Kevin Poulin (11-16-1) 3.29GAA .891%SP
3. #45 Anders Nilsson (3-4-2) 3.26GAA .893%SP
Click on "Continue Reading" for the rest of the article…
Last night in Boston was one of those nights where clearly it wasn't going to go Minnesota's way. The minute that ultimate Wild-killer, Jarome Iginla, scored on that goofy goal, it should have been the writing on the wall. However, last night's loss wasn't due to lack of trying on the part of Minnesota. It was great to see effort on the ice for a good portion of the game. While no one likes to lose, losses like last night's are a little easier to stomach. Now tonight on the other hand is another story altogether.
Now unless you've permanently repressed this memory, raise your hand if you remember that horrible game back at the end of December against the Islanders. For those of you who still remember that night, it still smarts when I think of being up 3-0 on the flippin' New York Islanders and ending up losing 5-4. It's losses like those that really make you wonder just how tough this team really is. I know for myself when I think of that game, it really makes me think if they're really ready for the upcoming playoffs. Also, one has to remember that loss to the Islanders was just two days after the 6-4 loss to the Jets. True contenders don't make those kinds of errors. The Wild clearly need to figure out which team they're going to be. The team that plays hard night in and night out or that team we saw at the end of December.
One great thing that came out of last night, was we got the chance to see the first and fourth lines absolutely buzzing on the ice last night. Mikael Granlund probably had the best game in a Wild uniform. The reason for this thinking, is we saw a young skater with all the confidence in the world. While he only had an assist on Jason Pominville's goal last night, one has to think that eventually that strong sense of confidence is going to turn into regular offensive contribution. Another player who had a great night was Mikko Koivu. I've never been his biggest fan, but last night he finally looked like a man determined. If Koivu would continue to play like that every night, he just might get permanently into my good standing. The fourth line with Erik Haula, Justin Fontaine, and Dany Heatley was a joy to watch as well. For those of us who watched a lot of the old Western Collegiate Hockey Association, saw what fans loved about Haula and Fontaine. While we're not used to watching them on the fourth line, they clearly weren't going to let their role hamper their effort. To make that line even more effective, would be to have a player with their same mindset and speed. Unfortunately, they're saddled with a slow, old Heatley. If only we could somehow put Heatley on the "wayback machine" and swap him with the offensively gifted Heatley of years past. Sadly that's not an option.
Regardless of how the Wild play tonight, if they fail again tonight I have to wonder if we really want to go to the playoffs. Sure, it's nice to say "hey we made the playoffs," but if it's another one-and-done series, is it really worth it? As Wild fans, we were "spoiled" by the 2003 playoffs. When an untalented, but determined team can make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals it's disappointing to only make it to the first round. At this point, I just want to make it to the second round. But even if Minnesota makes the playoffs, getting to the second round is going to be a challenge of epic proportions, because to do so the Wild will have to get past either St. Louis or Anaheim. Neither of those are options that I relish. To practice for those potential opponents, they need to start the practice now. Get wins now. Play hard now. Focus on the game at hand. That is how you prepare.
If Minnesota can play like they did against Columbus and Boston, I would say that Minnesota has a great chance at winning tonight. However, if they play like they did the last time against the Islanders, you can probably stop watching after the first period.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
