The frustrating Wild made another appearance on Saturday in Edmonton, failing to gain ground on Winnipeg who had lost 2-1, earlier in the day in Philadelphia.
We all know that no team wins every game, but the issue with this Wild team is they just don't seem to have a sense of urgency in their DNA. Winning is not easy and back to backs on the road can be especially challenging at times.
But the excuses this team throw around after each of these such defeats are so old and show little to no accountability. Where is the fight in this team? Who is the voice that says enough already guys? How can the coaching staff not see that this team needs a swift kick to the backside in a big way.
There needs to be a philosophical change in the approach that this team takes. The talent has gotten them to this point. Their record since the new year is still one of the best in the NHL, but we all know that is very deceiving, and if the players have bought that and think they are in the league's upper echelon, they are in for a rude awakening.
The consistent losses on the road especially in the back end of back to backs, and the periods of disinterest from the collective group show everyone that this team is more a pretender than contender.
Saturday night the Wild played a very good first period, then went to sleep in the second and opened the door for the NHL's top talent, Connor McDavid, to inflict his damage.
In the third, the Wild mustered up some good energy and Charlie Coyle cut the Oiler lead in half. But a late tripping penalty to Matt Cullen, proved to be the final dagger for the Wild.
Mikael Granlund tried to make something out of nothing during the PK, which resulted in a turnover just inside the Oiler blueline and Leon Draisaitl capitalized to give the Oilers the 3-1 lead.
There was ample time left for the Wild to get the game even, that Granlund did not need to take that risk with the Wild shorthanded. But that was not the reason the team lost, contrary to Boudreau's statements after the game.
I would much rather hear Boudreau implicate the veterans who have been here for each of the last five seasons that ended in disappointment early. Instead of talking about Granlund who was attempting to make something happen, and is one of the main reasons the Wild have as good a record as the do. No one can ever question the effort that #64 gives in every zone and in all situations.
The questions should be for the (lack of) leaders that this team has. Where are the tough questions for Koivu, Suter, and Parise? Why do they get a free pass, despite the fact that they have been here through all of the disappointment.
They should be the ones that have that fire in their bellies that says not on my watch. Where is that desire to overcome adversity and make the leap to the next level?
Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»