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Wild Look to Take All 3 From Sharks |
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Wild Game Day number 72
Wild Record (43-22-6 92 pts)
Home Record (23-10-1)
Opponent: San Jose Sharks (42-23-7 91 pts)
Road Record (19-13-3)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 7:30PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last season results:
12/12 Wild 2 @ Sharks 0
1/23 Wild 3 @ Sharks 4
4/5 Sharks 3 @ Wild 0
Last result:
1/5 Wild 5 @ Sharks 4
3/5 Sharks 1 @ Wild 3
The Wild return home after a very disappointing loss in Winnipeg on Sunday. A game in which they had the big four goal comeback but then could not finish the deal and eventually lost 5-4. The Sharks played last night in Dallas and were shutout 1-0 in a game that they outshot the Stars 30-20.
The Wild have beaten San Jose in each of the first two meeting this season including the last one in St. Paul earlier this month by a 3-1 score.
Sunday's Wild game in Winnipeg could be a sign of the Wild getting it back together as they rallied for four second period goals. The final two goals coming off the stick of Chris Stewart, who also had a first period fight with Chris Thorburn in an effort to spark his team.
The goaltending and team defense has been primarily the issue in the last 10 games which has seen the team drop to 7 points behind the Blackhawks in the Western Conference. The offense has also had it's share of issues as well, but for a team built with a structured approach from the goal out, the defensive zone is critical.
Devan Dubnyk has not played well for sure, but the Wild as a team have gotten away from their strength and have become far too easy to play against.
It is not at all time to panic, but it is eye opening to see how a team that was so good and so consistent for 3/4 of the season, lose the structure that had gotten them to the top spot in the West.
The Wild team in far too talented and deep for this to last, and playing a strong opponent at home should be a good recipe for them to get the train back on track.
Every team goes through tough stretches and for the Wild theirs just happens to be at a critical juncture of the season, which feeds the fury of the Boudreau and Minnesota Wild naysayers.
That is fine, because all that is, is talk. The real hockey begins in April, and the lessons this Wild team has learned throughout the season, including the last 10 game stretch, will serve them well when the games count for real.
Tonight, is game 72, next up San Jose, clean slate, let's play hockey!
It's always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!
Let's Play Hockey!
Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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