Minnesota Wild (5-3-0) 10pts 4th in the Central
3.38 Goals For (5th)
1.75 Goals Against (3rd)
0% Power Play (29th)
90.9% Penalty Kill (3rd)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #11 Zach Parise ~ 4G 4A = 8pts
2. #16 Jason Zucker ~ 5G 1A = 6pts
3. #29 Jason Pominville ~ 3G 3A = 6pts
4. #46 Jared Spurgeon ~ 2G 4A = 6pts
5. #24 Matt Cooke ~ 2G 4A = 6pts
Top 3 PIM’s:
1. #11 Zach Parise ~ 17 PIM’s
2. #3 Charlie Coyle ~ 10 PIM’s
3. #18 Ryan Carter ~ 10 PIM’s
Top Goaltenders:
1. #35 Darcy Kuemper (4-2-0) 1.51GAA .934%SP 3SO
2. #32 Niklas Backstrom (1-1-0) 2.52GAA .886%SP
Vs.
San Jose Sharks (6-4-1) 13pts 3rd in the Pacific
3.00 Goals For (10th)
2.64 Goals Against (15th)
22.5% Power Play (11th)
81.6% Penalty Kill (14th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #88 Brent Burns ~ 4G 8A = 12pts
2. #12 Patrick Marleau ~ 4G 8A = 12pts
3. #39 Logan Couture ~ 5G 6A = 11pts
4. #19 Joe Thornton ~ 2G 8A = 10pts
5. #8 Joe Pavelski ~ 5G 4A = 9pts
Top 3 PIM’s:
1. #20 John Scott ~ 22 PIM’s
2. #10 Andrew Dejardins ~ 21 PIM’s
3. #88 Brent Burns ~ 18 PIM’s
Top Goaltenders:
1. #31 Antti Niemi (5-2-0) 2.66GAA .918%SP 1SO
2. #32 Alex Stalock (1-2-1) 2.22GAA .924%SP 1SO
We’ve all had those crazy moments where we see a sign or the title of an article, we quickly read it, and then kind of mentally move on to the next thing. Sometimes however, we do an abrupt stop, think to ourselves “wait a minute, did I really read what I think I read?” You can sometimes see this phenomenon happening to others. Usually, you get this funny, confused face. The best examples, are when you quickly glance at something and your mind substitutes a different word which then gives you a completely different story altogether. This second phenomenon usually happens to me when I’m quickly scanning through things my friends have posted on the Facebook. I usually respond to those friends with something to the effect of “I thought you said xyz, and it made me laugh.”
So what does this crazy mind trick have to do with tonight’s game? Well, just this. I promise you, I didn’t type this in error, you’re mind isn’t playing tricks on you, and no, you’re not crazy. Yes my friends, former Minnesota Wild defensemen/forward/defensemen and all-around goofball Brent Burns is the top scorer for the San Jose Sharks. Okay yes, he is tied for first on scoring with Patrick Marleau, a player you expect to top the list, but it still warps my already warped mind that of all players on any team that Burns would be in the lead. Part of what makes it unbelievable is that I typically think of him as a defenseman, a position that isn’t always known for top scoring. Sure, there are some elite, offensively-minded defensemen out there, but Brent Burns doesn’t usually come to mind. However since he is a defenseman that has played a good amount of time at forward, and who is also surrounded by scorers, I guess it shouldn’t be an all out shock either. While it shouldn’t be a shock, it’s still a bit shocking to me. Sorry Brent, I just can’t wrap my mind around this.
I’m a bit nervous about this game. While the Minnesota Wild seem to have a decided home-ice advantage, I always get a bit of a pit in my stomach whenever they play one of the three California teams. Those three opponents do like to give Minnesota fits. Plus based on the past two games, I honestly don’t quite know what is up with the team right now. Yes, we know Minnesota can score. However, if they can’t prevent teams from scoring and mounting a comeback from a three goal deficit (New York Rangers) or from getting a tw0-goal lead (Boston) and then the Wild having to claw back in to the game, I just don’t know what to think. I am glad to see, that Minnesota could fight back from the heartbreaking loss in New York to get a victory in Boston. The thing is, the loss in New York never should have happened. I’m also glad to see that we finally have a Minnesota Wild team that can score, albeit it only full strength. Minnesota will definitely need that ability tonight. Of course it would be nice if they would figure out the power play, but that’s a different story for a different day.
And of course, it looks like Minnesota Will once again be playing without Erik Haula after the dirty hit by Rangers player John Moore. Haula has been part of an exciting “youth movement” in Minnesota. Forget about anything exciting by “Captain Clydesdale” better known as Mikko Koivu. The excitement is coming from young players like Haula. For his blatant transgression, Moore has been assessed a five-game suspension by the NHL. Yes, he’s gone for five game, but we don’t know how many Haula will be out. Also, Moore has been suspended before. Now when other players have been suspended, there is generally a decent amount of time between infractions (see Matt Cooke). However, in Moore’s case, it’s only been about 12 games, yes games. He pulled another dirty stunt during the playoffs last year and was suspended then as well. Usually when an opposing player hurts one of our players and that player is suspended, we usually hear from one of the league talking heads (ie Mike Milbury) that is was a fair suspension. However, this time the talking heads are of the opinion that it should have been more, like 10-20 games. Something tells me however, if Moore had hurt another team’s star and not a seventh-round pick, albeit a talented seventh-round pick like Haula, he would have garnered a longer suspension. Plus, if Moore hadn’t been a repeat offender, he probably would have gotten 2 games at most if not just a fine. While it feels like some justice has been handed down, it still doesn’t erase the fact that Minnesota is without a key player.
Well, I’m off to my day job now. A day job where reading comprehension is critical. So hopefully the craziness of knowing that Brent Burns is the leading scorer on any team doesn’t completely mess with my job today.
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