Minnesota Wild (6-2-1) 13pts 1st in the Central
3.56 Goals For Per Game (2nd in the NHL)
2.11 Goals Against Per Game (5th in the NHL)
13.3 % Power Play (24th in the NHL)
96.2% Penalty Kill (1st in the NHL)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 3G 7A = 10pts
2. #12 Eric Staal ~ 4G 3A = 7pts
3. #3 Charlie Coyle ~ 3G 4A = 7pts
4. #16 Jason Zucker ~ 2G 5A = 7pts
5. #7 Chris Stewart ~ 2G 3A = 5pts
Top 3 PIM’s:
1. #7 Chris Stewart ~ 19 PIM’s
2. #3 Charlie Coyle ~ 18 PIM’s
3. #5 Christian Folin ~ 8 PIM’s
Top Goaltenders:
1. #40 Devan Dubnyk (5-1-1) 1.43GAA .952%SP 3SO
2. #35 Darcy Kuemper (1-1-0) 4.00GAA .871%SP
Vs.
Buffalo Sabres (2-3-2) 6pts 8th in the Atlantic
2.50 Goals For Per Game (21st in the NHL)
2.50 Goals Against Per Game (12th in the NHL)
25.0% Power Play (7th in the NHL)
86.7% Penalty Kill (7th in the NHL)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #21 Kyle Okposo ~ 4G 3A = 7pts
2. #90 Ryan O’Reilly ~ 3G 4A = 7pts
3. #55 Rasmus Ristolainen ~ 0G 7A = 7pts
4. #26 Matt Moulson ~ 4G 1A = 5pts
5. #12 Brian Gionta ~ 3G 2A = 5pts
Top 3 PIM’s:
1. #54 Rasmus Ristolainen ~ 10 PIMs
2. #4 Josh Gorges ~ 8 PIM’s
3. #82 Marcus Foligno ~ 6 PIM’s
Top Goaltenders:
1. #40 Robin Lehner (2-2-1) 2.61GAA .913%SP
2. #31 Anders Nilsson (1-1-1) 1.95GAA .937%SP 1SO
You know those days when you start to feel good, or at least okay, about how things are going? When you’re boasting a three-game shutout run, you start to wonder if things are going to be better this season. It feels good and it pumps you up a bit. It helps you hold your head up high. And in the world of sports, holding one’s head up can go a long way. And of course looking at the current conference standings, if the playoffs would start today (I know, it’s way too early to be playing that game right now, but just go with it), it would certainly be a different picture than that of recent years. I don’t think anyone could really predict that the Edmonton Oilers of all teams would be sitting at the top of the Western Conference at any point in the season. However it has happened and is happening.
But tonight has nothing to do with the Edmonton Oilers. Yet we are facing another perpetual cellar dweller, yet this dweller has not had a reversal of fortune like the team from Alberta. For the second time in a week, we will be facing the Buffalo Sabres. Facing a team like Buffalo can be a trial for player and fans alike. How often do we watch the Wild underestimate a team like the Sabres. It can be even more difficult when you beat them just a few days ago. However, the Wild team play tonight is going to be vastly different. Injuries and illness are making for a much different team. If you’re thinking the only issues are on the ice, you’d be wrong. There are trials and tribulations in the front office as well. Management if currently trying to figure out roster and its salary cap implications. Again, the Minnesota Wild are pushing the ceiling, and when you’re dealing with trying to ice a full roster when players are sick and injured, it gets that much more ugly and stressful. Things are so dire, that the team is considering playing a forward short.
I almost feel like starting a pool. The pool being that of when the shutout streak ends. With the roster conundrum, it really could be just about at any time. After Saturday’s game against the Dallas Star, we were all riding the high of victory. I’m sure quite a few, including Devan Dubnyk, were feeling a sense of invincibility. The feelings has definitely colored our outlook on this team. I know for myself, with their current record, I’ve managed to push out thoughts of injury and illness. So when I read Michael Russo’s article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and its interview with head coach Bruce Boudreau, the state of things really starts to hit home. Before I read that article, I thought at the very least, the shutout streak will continue at least for another period or two. Now reading that article, I wonder if the Wild will last even five minutes, and even that might be generous.
I know that may be pessimistic, but I’d rather keep the expectations low and possibly be surprised. It’s better to be surprised than be disappointed. However, considering the state of affairs, we may be in line for some disappointment while we wait for the roster to get healthy.
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