Brad Ratgen: Chicago Playing Like Chicago, Minnesota Playing Like Minnesota A look back at the Minnesota Wild's loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2.

Lots of respect for your guys, they play hard with class without the crap after the whistle like some other teams.

That said, you better draft and develop well, because those 2 big contracts are going to limit who you can bring in, especially next year with the Cap dropping.

Bet the Wild wish they had hung on to Leddy. How's Cam Barker doing for ya?

Lots of respect for your guys, they play hard with class without the crap after the whistle like some other teams.

That said, you better draft and develop well, because those 2 big contracts are going to limit who you can bring in, especially next year with the Cap dropping.

Bet the Wild wish they had hung on to Leddy. How's Cam Barker doing for ya?
- scottak

He is doing fine in vancouver

If Pommer, Heatley and Backstrom were playing we'd be up 2-0!








Just teasin'

Until a home team loses a game, a series is always up for grabs. I am not counting out the Wild at all yet. I think Minnesota will win on Sunday, and then Game 4 is anybody's game to win. Hawks did show off their depth last night, when it is on full display it is pretty incredible to watch. I picked the Hawks in 7 at the outset of the series and I am sticking with that.

Despite being picked by Sharp last night, I like what I see in Brodin. Pairing him with a great player like Suter will work wonders for the kid and his growth. Having rookies play with allstars (ex. Saad with Toews & Hossa) is a great way of making an impact on a team. I have a feeling this series will go 6 with the Hawks eventually coming out on top, but looking forward to watching a full season of the Wild with a healthy Heatley, Backstrom, and Pomms (is that his nickname?).

Despite being picked by Sharp last night, I like what I see in Brodin. Pairing him with a great player like Suter will work wonders for the kid and his growth. Having rookies play with allstars (ex. Saad with Toews & Hossa) is a great way of making an impact on a team.
- HajdukChicago

As good as Parise and Suter have been on the ice for the Wild, this is undoubtedly one of the big reasons they broke the bank for these two. Their ability to lead by example and mentor their prospects is invaluable. The Wild's future success will depend on those prospects turning into great professionals. No better two to learn from.

Very good assessment, Brad. Well done.

It's really interesting to watch these games and see the differences in how the puck bounces for each team. Take Froliks 2 goals last night, very opportunistic goals on odd rebounds, both off of a wild defensemen. On the other hand, look at all the opportunities the wild players have had and look at the level of success. Parise must have had 6 or 7 chances alone on one play to bury it and yet somehow nothing came to the aid of wild luck.

Personally, I think teams most times create their own luck, look at the difference in the control of each teams play. Chicago not forcing anything, easing their way into the offensive zone and staying solid and steady creating opportunities. Minnesota relying soley on the dump and chase and frantic around the puck almost to a fault. They look almost out of control when they get the puck or get around the puck. Pushing to hard, making mistakes trying to continually force the play.

Bottom line, the Wld are not quite yet good enough to make a playoff run, let alone face the best team in the NHL in the first round, Pominville, Heatley, Backstrom being out aside.. I don't even think that Chicago has looked overly domininant by any means, their first and second lines have been held at bay for the most part. Problem is, the Wild don't have an answer for the 3rd and 4th lines which seem to be doing most of the damage offensively. That's a big part of why Chicago is so good, depth throughout the 4 lines.

Wild had plenty of chances again last night, one could argue they had better opportunities than did the Hawks, they just couldn't capitalize on them like the Hawks did.

Wild just need to stand tall, finish this series win or lose and come back next season with a better and more experienced team.

Not bashing you guys but you need some prospects to pan out, because parise does this every postseason. Don't get me wrong he's outstanding in the reg season but he doesn't seem to have another gear for the playoffs.

Not bashing you guys but you need some prospects to pan out, because parise does this every postseason. Don't get me wrong he's outstanding in the reg season but he doesn't seem to have another gear for the playoffs.
- Xnightwish

Problem is not that he's not good enough, the problem is he's the best offensive player on a team that is not quite yet ready for playoff contention. Koivu has been an offensive no show so far. Koivu cannot just be a defensive factor, he has to figure into the offense a hell of a lot more than he has so far. Granted he's got the unfortunate task of trying to shut down Toews, but this is his big chance to prove the nay sayers wrong and show that he's not just an average 2nd line center in the NHL. So far, he's proven nothing. And I'm as big a Koivu fan as there is out there.

Parise has done pretty much everything the Wild fans expected from him. The Suter, Parise signings are with out a doubt the reason the Wild are even in the post season. Coyle, Brodin and Zucker all need more time to develop their game. Brodin is as good as any on the Wild blue line, but still is far from being a polished player. Granlund is a work in progress. Still a lot of question marks in the Wild line up though that need to be addressed. Brodziak is proving he should probably be a full time 4th liner, PMB is a shell of his former self, Clutterbuck is another solid 4th liner at best. Defense looks like they finally have a decent 3,4 pairing in Scandella/Spurgeon, but Gilbert, Stoner and Falk are all major liabilities.

Personally, I consider this season a successful one. That being said, if they are backing into the playoffs again next season and staring at a 2 - 0 deficit without any real hope of advancing, then I would say they are not improving nor heading in the right direction.

Not bashing you guys but you need some prospects to pan out, because parise does this every postseason. Don't get me wrong he's outstanding in the reg season but he doesn't seem to have another gear for the playoffs.
- Xnightwish

I think that is just indicative of a player that brings his best every night, playoffs or not. It's what makes him just a great example to follow.

You are correct, though. The Wild need many of their prospects to reach their potential. Having one great player on a team won't cut it.

If Pommer, Heatley and Backstrom were playing we'd be up 2-0!








Just teasin'
- SotaPopinski

Pominville would matter. When is he expected back?

Brodziak is proving he should probably be a full time 4th liner...
- MnGump

I've been a bit of a Brodziak basher this year, at least on the offensive side of the puck. The guy just doesn't read the play quickly enough to convert an opportunity into a real scoring chance and it is frustrating to watch.

My biggest fear for next year is that he is plan C for their second line center. Plan A being re-sign Cullen, plan B being use Granlund there. I can see both plan A and B not working out.

Pominville would matter. When is he expected back?
- sippyd

The official word from the Wild is day to day with an upper body injury. I think we all know he has a concussion and I would be surprised to see him in this series. So, I'm guessing September.

I've been a bit of a Brodziak basher this year, at least on the offensive side of the puck. The guy just doesn't read the play quickly enough to convert an opportunity into a real scoring chance and it is frustrating to watch.My biggest fear for next year is that he is plan C for their second line center. Plan A being re-sign Cullen, plan B being use Granlund there. I can see both plan A and B not working out.
- Chinaski

Exactly, he's too slow. He's had several opportunities already in this series and in many games down the regular season stretch that he's blown. Look at Froliks goals last night. 2 very opportunistic chances (not unlike Brodziaks) and he put both of them in the net. To me, Brodziaks play in clutch situations is just unacceptable. Those are exactly the kind of plays the Wild need to capitalize on and they've been unable to on any of them.

Until a home team loses a game, a series is always up for grabs. I am not counting out the Wild at all yet. I think Minnesota will win on Sunday, and then Game 4 is anybody's game to win. Hawks did show off their depth last night, when it is on full display it is pretty incredible to watch. I picked the Hawks in 7 at the outset of the series and I am sticking with that.
- ChicagoHope

Don,t forget the Hawks have played much better on the road all year long than they have at home. Minny may be able to steal 1 game at home but it will be difficult for them. Hawks in a sweep !

Don,t forget the Hawks have played much better on the road all year long than they have at home. Minny may be able to steal 1 game at home but it will be difficult for them. Hawks in a sweep !
- HawkfaninBC

I think the Wild will steal one at home, but I don't have much confidence that they'll do much more than that. Wild were one of the best home teams in the league up until the final two weeks of the season. Not sure that will have any affect on the outcomes of these next two or not as they lost games to Edmonton and Calgary at the X in two of their last 3 home games. Games that were critical to not only making the playoffs, but ensuring a better seed.

The official word from the Wild is day to day with an upper body injury. I think we all know he has a concussion and I would be surprised to see him in this series. So, I'm guessing September.
- Chinaski

That's unfortunate. I was looking forward to watching him. He's a gamer.

That's unfortunate. I was looking forward to watching him. He's a gamer.
- sippyd

Did he play any center in Buffalo? If yes, how was he?

Despite being picked by Sharp last night, I like what I see in Brodin. Pairing him with a great player like Suter will work wonders for the kid and his growth. Having rookies play with allstars (ex. Saad with Toews & Hossa) is a great way of making an impact on a team. I have a feeling this series will go 6 with the Hawks eventually coming out on top, but looking forward to watching a full season of the Wild with a healthy Heatley, Backstrom, and Pomms (is that his nickname?).
- HajdukChicago

Right up until the kid wants 6 million a year to play along side Suter and you can't afford to pay him. At that point, Nashville will steal him from you.

Parise/Suter no points combined -6 so far. Sounds about right.

It's really interesting to watch these games and see the differences in how the puck bounces for each team. Take Froliks 2 goals last night, very opportunistic goals on odd rebounds, both off of a wild defensemen. On the other hand, look at all the opportunities the wild players have had and look at the level of success. Parise must have had 6 or 7 chances alone on one play to bury it and yet somehow nothing came to the aid of wild luck.

Personally, I think teams most times create their own luck, look at the difference in the control of each teams play. Chicago not forcing anything, easing their way into the offensive zone and staying solid and steady creating opportunities. Minnesota relying soley on the dump and chase and frantic around the puck almost to a fault. They look almost out of control when they get the puck or get around the puck. Pushing to hard, making mistakes trying to continually force the play.

Bottom line, the Wld are not quite yet good enough to make a playoff run, let alone face the best team in the NHL in the first round, Pominville, Heatley, Backstrom being out aside.. I don't even think that Chicago has looked overly domininant by any means, their first and second lines have been held at bay for the most part. Problem is, the Wild don't have an answer for the 3rd and 4th lines which seem to be doing most of the damage offensively. That's a big part of why Chicago is so good, depth throughout the 4 lines.

Wild had plenty of chances again last night, one could argue they had better opportunities than did the Hawks, they just couldn't capitalize on them like the Hawks did.

Wild just need to stand tall, finish this series win or lose and come back next season with a better and more experienced team.
- MnGump

Not overly dominating? They got outshot by 20 and 10 in the two games, no Hawks player has had a negative corsi and no Wild player has had a positive. Its not luck, its percentages, the team with 40 more attempts at the net is going to win the game almost every time. And this myth that Koivu is being sent out to check Toews, Toews is checking Koivu and dominating 5 on 5, even though there have been no goals yet. The Hawks second line scored as many goals as the whole Wild team last game, so if thats shutting them down good work. Continue thinking you had better chances, the Wild got smoked, you're such an irrational homer in every post its unbelievable. I'll be shocked if the Wild can beat the Hawks or Blues in the new division any time in the next 5 years

Edit: The Hawks 4th line was minus corsi, but scored twice. You're not as close as you think. Also, Tom Gilbert is terrible

Not overly dominating? They got outshot by 20 and 10 in the two games, no Hawks player has had a negative corsi and no Wild player has had a positive. Its not luck, its percentages, the team with 40 more attempts at the net is going to win the game almost every time. And this myth that Koivu is being sent out to check Toews, Toews is checking Koivu and dominating 5 on 5, even though there have been no goals yet. The Hawks second line scored as many goals as the whole Wild team last game, so if thats shutting them down good work. Continue thinking you had better chances, the Wild got smoked, you're such an irrational homer in every post its unbelievable. I'll be shocked if the Wild can beat the Hawks or Blues in the new division any time in the next 5 years

Edit: The Hawks 4th line was minus corsi, but scored twice. You're not as close as you think. Also, Tom Gilbert is terrible
- rollpards19

Neat! Thanks for sharing. Next time I want to know what my opinion is, I'll be sure to ask you for it, goober!

Parise/Suter no points combined -6 so far. Sounds about right.
- Predville

Wow it must suck to be so bitter. The fat lady may be warming up to do her solo for the Wild, but at least they made it to the dance... By the way, I noticed Webers name wasn't mentioned in the Norris trophy conversation this season... That's too bad. At least he got the biggest contract! <