Wild Win 3-2 OT

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Wild Win 3-2 OT
Scream and shout it at the top of your lungs because it's actually true, and it was against a San Jose team, a team who the Wild haven't been able to get in win against in their last nine meetings. Brent Burns gets the game winner in overtime after Milan Michalek scores late in the third period to tie the game.
Isn't it nice to say that the Wild never trailed in this game, they actually scored the first goal of the game, and it was in the first period to top it off. Burns finishes the game with a three point night, as Koivu notches another two assists, as Owen Nolan and Krys Kolanos scores the first two goals of the night for the Wild.

Thoughts and musings:
• Even when he's not 100 percent Owen Nolan was able to contribute, scoring the first goal of the night, and you see exactly why the Wild have missed him so much this year.
• Just like last year's New Year's Eve game, the Wild allow a late goal to the Sharks, at least this year it was only the game tying goal, and not the winner.
• The Wild actually converted on the powerplay, twice, after going something like 3 for 35.
• I know that Boogaard's going to be scoring soon, I can just feel it. He's been so close the last couple of games, it's only a matter of time.
• And just like that the optimism comes back with a win against the Sharks, the number one team in the west. Now let's see how the Wild fair against the number two team on Saturday.

UP NEXT: Saturday vs. Detroit Red Wings

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Sharks vs. Wild

If you guys haven't read Mike Russo's article in the Star Tribune yet, you should, it's a good read and he totally hit it in the nose.
Kim Johnsson will be back tonight against the Sharks after missing the Flames game for personal reasons. Also, a surprise to see that Owen Nolan will be playing tonight. Apparently, he ASKED to play tonight against the Sharks, and that just ups my respect for him, because you know he's still not 100 percent.
What's not a surprise is that Gaborik won't be playing tonight and will be missing his third game since his "return". Oh well, I'm so tired of him and his endless groin injuries I'm just hoping that this is management holding him out because they got a trade somewhere in the near future...like today.

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Wild Lose 2-1 to Flames

Monday, December 29, 2008

The Wild came into the Saddledome with only 3 wins in 22 game at the Saddledome, and they leave there with another loss added to that marker.
The Wild had a strong start to the game with 7 shots in the first six minutes but eventually died off that period with only 1 shot in the next 14 minutes. Of course some trends continued, as the Star Tribune wrote in an article today, as the Wild have been consistent in one department, and that is allowing the first goal of the game...and not scoring in the first period. Stephane Veilleux scored a huge goal with 14.5 left in the second to tie the game at one, and the Wild started the third with a powerplay, but weren't able to capitalize. Like I said in a game earlier this season against the Coyotes, you know you're powerplay isn't clicking when the opponents scores shorthanded, and that goal eventually became the winner. And in another game that the Wild were able to keep Jarome Iginla off of the score sheet, which is a huge accomplishment given his record and points total against the Wild, the Wild end up with another game in the loss column.

Some random musings and thoughts:
• In 7 games against their division, the Wild have only been able to attain 3 points with a record of 1-5-1.
• Not many good passes coming from behind the blueline.
• Not that great of game coming from Burns tonight, and the same for Pouliot (looks like he'll still be in the doghouse after this game).
• Maybe the Wild should start aiming a couple of feet wide of the net, maybe then the pucks'll start hitting the net.
• The Wild need to start driving to the net, and start parking their asses in front of the goalie, it's not all dump and chase.

Up Next: The Wild spends another New Year's Eve night with the San Jose Sharks at the X, game time: 5:00pm CT

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Games to Watch this Week

Monday, Dec 21
New York Islanders vs. New Rangers, 6:00pm CT

Tuesday, Dec 30
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings, 6:30pm CT

Wednesday, Dec 31
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames, 9:00pm CT

Thursday, Dec 1
Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 12:00pm CT, NBC
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins, 6:00pm CT

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And the skid continues...

Thursday, December 18, 2008

After coming off of a four game road trip the Wild come home to lose to the Calgary Flames in overtime after Todd Bertuzzi, of all people, scores at the 3:58 mark. This brings the Wild's franchise losing streak to six, but at least this one was in OT, so the Wild got a point. I hate to say it, but having Gaborik in the lineup did make a difference. If it wasn't for Gaborik, the game would have ended 2-1 Calgary, instead, he ties the game up, and it ends in overtime. The X last night was probably the loudest when Gaborik scored the tying goal. Surprising that there was a lot more cheers then boos or silence for Gaborik, but hey, you never know what to expect from fans. Too bad for the Wild that they keep Jarome Iginla off the score sheet, but couldn't stick some pucks in behind Mikka Kippursoff, who, along with the post, made some timely saves against the Wild throughout the game. At least the Wild made it interesting and were still in the game, makes me optimistic that next game they'll get it done, especially since it'll be against a team that they should win against, but you never know when it comes to the Wild.

Things I'm thinking about: How many loses have the Wild had against teams that are coming off of back-to-back games? How many times did Mikko Koivu get thrown out of the faceoff circle? How many games does Gaborik play until he's shipped off to another team? Why can't the Wild get anything past the POST?

UP NEXT: Friday vs. New York Islanders, 7:00pm CT

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A Look at the Week that's Past and Ahead: Dec 14-20

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Honestly, I'd really rather not recap last week, a week where the Wild have been winless, and basically goal-less in their games. On a four game road trip, where you would have expected the Wild to at least go .500, the Wild have lost their first three games against the Predators last Saturday, and the Coyotes and Kings this week. The Wild's search for goals continues, as in the last four games they have scored a whopping 3 goals. No stud for the the team last week, just a lot of duds.

The Wild will have 4 games this week, the first of which will be tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, where they will be finishing the backend of their back-to-back games and their 4-game road trip. The Wild will then return home for their first game against division rival Calgary Flames on Wednesday night, with the probablity that Marian Gaborik might actually be sighted in game. They will then have back-to-back games against the New York Islanders at home on Friday, then head out to St. Louis for a game against the Blues on Saturday.

Sunday – @ Anaheim Ducks, 7:00pm CT
Wednesday – vs. Calgary Flames, 7:00pm CT
Friday – vs. New York Islanders, 7:00pm CT
Saturday – @ St. Louis Blues, 7:30pm CT

Games to Watch this Week:
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres, 6:00pm CT

Thursday, December 18, 2008
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings, 6:30pm CT

Saturday, December 20, 2008
New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks, 9:30pm CT

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A Look at the Week that's Past and Ahead: Dec 7 – 13

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Wild went 1-3-0 this past week losing to Colorado, Vancouver and being shutout in Nashville. The Wild are 5-5-0 in their last ten home games, and are 8-6-1 overall at home; and after losing to both Colorado and Vancouver, they now have a record of 1-4-0 when facing division opponents (just wanted to throw those numbers out there for you to ponder). The stud from last week is Mikko Koivu who in the four games last week had 2 goals and 3 assists (in his last 10 games he has 7 goals and 6 assists) and he had a 7 game point streak stopped when the Wild were shutout against the Predators on Saturday.

After having four games the last two weeks the Wild will have only two games this week after four days off since their last game on Saturday in Nashville. The Wild are in the middle of a four game road trip as this week they will visit the Phoenix Coyotes for their third of four meetings against the Coyotes. They will then head toward Los Angeles to visit the Kings for their first game against the them this season in an afternoon matinée.

Thursday - @ Phoenix Coyotes, 8:00pm CT
Saturday - @ Los Angeles Kings, 3:00pm CT

Games to Watch this Week:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals, 6:00pm CT
Calgary Flames vs. Detroit Red Wings, 6:30pm CT

Thursday, December 11, 2008
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks, 9:30pm CT

Saturday, December 13, 2008
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 12:00pm CT

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Wild lose 1-0

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Kind of a let down after last Saturday in the rematch against the Predators, on so many aspects. Unlike last Saturday where it was a fast pace, physical game, this game had no flow to it. You know, I never fall asleep during a hockey game, but this may have been the first time in a while that I've wanted to fall asleep, and wasn't able to. This is the third time that the Wild have been shutout, and now the concerns of where the offense is going to come from if the pp isn't scoring starts popping up again. What I'm concerned about is the Wild's consistency; the Wild have been doing well on the road, but are just around .500 at home, as evidence of the previous homestand.

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Wild 4-0 win over Blues

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

After Monday night's debacle of a game against Colorado, the Wild rebound nicely in a great solid effort against the Blues. The Wild scored 4 goals, held the opposition to none, and two of those four goals were power play goals, so it was obviously a better game than Monday's. Eric Belanger provided the game winner with his 100th career NHL goal, his 7th of the season, and Andrew Brunette scored on the powerplay for his 200th career NHL goal, his 9th on the season tying him for the team lead with Mikko Koivu. Also scoring on the powerplay was Zidlicky for his 4th of the season, all of which have come on the powerplay, and Antti Miettinen got his first goal in 16 games when he was tripped going in on a breakaway with the empty net. The Wild had a full 60 minute effort, and I applaud them for that, but let's get back to reality...this is the St. Louis Blues that the Wild beat not the Detroit Red Wings or San Jose Sharks, so I'm not going to be too overly thrilled about this game. I guess I'm a glass half empty kind of gal today.

Up Next: Friday vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7:00pm CT

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A Look at the Week that's Past and Ahead: Nov 30 – Dec 6

Monday, December 1, 2008

The Wild went 3-1-0 this week with wins against the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nashville Predators, and a disappointing loss against Dallas Stars. After scoring 6 goals the previous four games, last week the Wild scored 17 goals in four games, nearly tripling the previous four game total. Unlike the week before, Mikko Koivu wasn't trying to hull the entire offense on his back, with the Wild getting offensive contribution from every line.The stud from last week is Mikko Koivu, who had 3 goals and 3 assists last week, and could have had more (hemm...Dallas).

The Wild will have the same schedule that they had last week, but with different opponents this week, as they have 4 games, the first three at home, then finishing the back-to-back on the road. The Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks will be in the building for a 3-game homestand for the Wild, as they will then travel to Nashville after the Friday game against the Canucks to finish the week in the place that they finished it off last week. With a four-game road trip starting on Saturday and going into next week, it's essential this week that the Wild get points and wins at home, especially since two of the four games this week are against divisional opponents. Johnsson with the C for December.

Monday – vs. Colorado Avalanche, 7:00pm CT
Wednesday – vs. St. Louis Blues, 7:00pm CT
Friday – vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7:00pm CT
Saturday – @ Nashville Predators, 7:00pm CT

Games to Watch this Week:
Monday, December 1, 2008
Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings, 6:00pm CT

Thursday, December 4, 2008
New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens, 6:00pm CT
New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 6:00pm CT

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings, 6:00pm CT

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