Game #74: Minnesota Wild at Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday March 25, 2010 at 6:00pm (CDT), Wachovia Center [GAME PREVIEW]

I’m trying very hard to find the optimist in me today, however I find that I am unable to channel much when it comes positive thinking today.  With the Wild heading out on another two-game trip on the road (and back to back games at that), the cynic in me (and most likely many Wild fans out there) makes its presence known.  All one has to think of is the Wild’s abysmal 25 road points.  I suppose if there’s one optimistic thing, it’s at least the Wild don’t have the fewest road points in the league.  However, sarcasm and cynicism often go hand in hand.

For more cynical thoughts, it seems that the opposition manages to break their negative streaks against the Wild.  We all knew about the Sharks’ five-game losing streak prior to Tuesday’s game in St. Paul.  I knew a game against a team struggling to get their feet back underneath them was a bad match-up, and look how that one turned out.  The Flyers are going to be another bad match-up, and not just because Minnesota is playing on the road.  Philadelphia has lost its past three games.  That alone should be enough to make Wild fans nervous.  While the Wild have been perfect on their penalty kill the past three games, one should expect it to end tonight.  The Flyers have failed to score on their third best power play on thirteen attempts in their past four games.  Yes, it’s a recipe for disaster.

Adding to the growing cynicism is Philadelphia’s goaltending situation.  Out for tonight will be both Ray Emery and Michael Leighton.  Emery is out with a hip issue and Leighton with a bothersome ankle.  This leaves Brian Boucher and a recently recalled Johan Backlund to handle the crease.  For some reason beyond comprehension, the Wild from their inception have struggled against opposition goaltenders that are not the usual goaltenders for that given team.  Plus considering the amazing luck (and success) the Wild had when Anton Khudobin was recalled and suddenly found himself pressed into action, one would have to assume that luck would have to apply to another team suddenly finding themselves behind the proverbial 8-ball when it comes to goaltending.  Much like the Wild’s situation, one would assume that Boucher will start tonight over Backlund, but let’s face it, you never know what can and will happen.

Call it what you will, but I’m not feeling good about tonight.  If you think I’m feeling overly pessimistic about tonight, wait until tomorrow at the Joe.