Tony Dean: MNWild: Gameday Wild Vs. Columbus

As fun as it is to see this club dispatch the defending cup chamipions, I don't think this team or it's fans should "over"celebrate or rest on their laurels after such a satisfying victory.

While the Wild definitely came to play last night, the Hawks in my mind had a bit of an off night and looked lethargic throughout most of the contest. Which isn't to excuse them losing or the Wild winning, but on their best night the Hawks probably don't give up 2 late goals to lose in regulation.

That being said, the Wild have surpisingly matched up quite well against them so far this season despite falling to them in the last contest in a 5 - 1 drubbing. Regardless the Wild have held their own so far against the gritty and talented Hawks for the most part. Yeo has definitely got this squad playing some of their best hockey in years and not a moment too soon.

Blue Jackets despite losing their top Goal tender and a couple of key offensive players have been putting on quite a show most nights and as Tony alluded to should not be overlooked. Talentwise, I don't think the Jackets match up well against that of the Wild, but the Wild will definitely have their hands full with this spry young squad and if they come to play like they did last night, they should escape with another victory.

As fun as it is to see this club dispatch the defending cup chamipions, I don't think this team or it's fans should "over"celebrate or rest on their laurels after such a satisfying victory.

While the Wild definitely came to play last night, the Hawks in my mind had a bit of an off night and looked lethargic throughout most of the contest. Which isn't to excuse them losing or the Wild winning, but on their best night the Hawks probably don't give up 2 late goals to lose in regulation.

That being said, the Wild have surpisingly matched up quite well against them so far this season despite falling to them in the last contest in a 5 - 1 drubbing. Regardless the Wild have held their own so far against the gritty and talented Hawks for the most part. Yeo has definitely got this squad playing some of their best hockey in years and not a moment too soon.

Blue Jackets despite losing their top Goal tender and a couple of key offensive players have been putting on quite a show most nights and as Tony alluded to should not be overlooked. Talentwise, I don't think the Jackets match up well against that of the Wild, but the Wild will definitely have their hands full with this spry young squad and if they come to play like they did last night, they should escape with another victory.
- MnGump

Johansen and Atkinson always seem to play very well against the Wild.

Johansen and Atkinson always seem to play very well against the Wild.
- Tony Dean

Harding or Backstrom in net tonight?

I know many teams feel this way towards the Wild, but tonight's game has me as uninterested as I've been all season long. Hopefully the players don't feel the same and get caught flat-footed.
Thought Gabby would be back by now...

Harding or Backstrom in net tonight?
- MnGump

Backstrom

Backstrom
- SotaPopinski

Backstrom a far better option than something called Darcy "more holes than swiss cheese" Kuemper...

Harding or Backstrom in net tonight?
- MnGump

I think I heard backstrom was up

Where's the offense boys!!

Absolutely amazing that these guys can get all jacked up and bring it to the defending champs but forget to show up against an inferior opponent!

Wow. The more things change the more they stay the same...

Imagine that, Heatley on the ice for 3 of the goals. What a useless turd...

Backstrom just a shell of his former self. Of course it doesn't help when lines 2 - 4 are on their lunch breaks the entire game.

On top of everything else the Gophers lose to freaking Michigan St!,,,

Sounds like I need to skip the play button and go straight to delete for this game.

Wild win against one of the best in the west in spite of another terrible performance from Dany Heatley...

Wild win against one of the best in the west in spite of another terrible performance from Dany Heatley...
- MnGump

It looks like the 4th line is really the only option for him. But I just don't see them playing Heatley and Rupp together on that line very much, if at all. We may be at the point where he will be one of the healthy scratches.

I really would have liked to have seen Haula been given more of a chance at 2nd line center. But it could be that the Wild don't want to put him in a position where he loses any confidence he many have gained while playing here. Haula's looked pretty good, but playing center on the 2nd line against Chicago, San Jose twice, Anaheim, and Colorado may have been more than they thought he could handle right now.

So, this thought occurred to me as I was reading Pierre Lebrun's blog on the GM's meeting (2nd section from the bottom - Coyotes' Outdoor Game?). How pissed would Leipold be if Phoenix got an outdoor game before Minnesota?

Am I the only one that thinks Zucker played well with Koivu and Parise while Pomminville played better with Neidereiter (sp) and a playmaker type center ex.(Granlund, Haula)

Am I the only one that thinks Zucker played well with Koivu and Parise while Pomminville played better with Neidereiter (sp) and a playmaker type center ex.(Granlund, Haula)
- Mersch

I'm not sure what I think about Zucker with Koivu/Parise. But I'm in agreement that Pominville isn't the best fit there either. Not that Koivu isn't a good playmaker, but Pominville does better with a guy that creates things more quickly (e.g., Granlund, Haula as you mention), not grinding it out on the wall and then making something happen.

I would still love to see Pominville and Parise centered by Granlund when Granlund gets healthy. Maybe put Niederreiter and Coyle with Koivu.

So, this thought occurred to me as I was reading Pierre Lebrun's blog on the GM's meeting (2nd section from the bottom - Coyotes' Outdoor Game?). How pissed would Leipold be if Phoenix got an outdoor game before Minnesota?
- Chinaski

My understanding from listening to Lou Nanne was that after the league renegged on the 2015 Winter classic they offered Leipold one of the regular outdoor games and he declined. He wants the "classic" and I don't blame him after spending all that money to bring in high priced talent in order to make the team more marketable and relavant for the big game.

I'm not sure what I think about Zucker with Koivu/Parise. But I'm in agreement that Pominville isn't the best fit there either. Not that Koivu isn't a good playmaker, but Pominville does better with a guy that creates things more quickly (e.g., Granlund, Haula as you mention), not grinding it out on the wall and then making something happen.

I would still love to see Pominville and Parise centered by Granlund when Granlund gets healthy. Maybe put Niederreiter and Coyle with Koivu.
- Chinaski

I think once Granlund returns we'll see Coyle back on the top line with Koivu and Parise. I do agree that Pominville is a better fit with Granny.

I've been pretty disappointed with Zuckers game so far. He's not progressing like Coyle and Granlund. If anything he looks like he's just spinning his wheels at the NHL level, not sure why his development isn't further along but could obviously be one of the reasons he conintues to be shuttled to and from Iowa.

I'm also disappointed Haula was sent back, I think he looks to have more potential than does Zucker at this point. So fast...

Ooops. I meant Coyle on top line with Koivu and Parise instead of Zucker. Although Zucker on a line and Heatly in the press box would be ok too.

I've been pretty disappointed with Zuckers game so far. He's not progressing like Coyle and Granlund. If anything he looks like he's just spinning his wheels at the NHL level, not sure why his development isn't further along but could obviously be one of the reasons he conintues to be shuttled to and from Iowa.
- MnGump

I think Zucker is well behind those guys in his development simply because he has never had the defensive acumen of those players. It will take Zucker awhile to become comfortable with the pro game and making sure he is not cheating his defensive assignments. And since he has to think about it while playing instead of doing it instinctively, I believe that will lessen the impact he can have offensively for awhile. But I do think if he works hard and sticks with it, he can be an effective player in the NHL. When he naturally plays a good two-way game, he will quickly be able to identify opportunities where his speed will get him good scoring chances.