Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity: Young Wild Squad Take aim at the Kings in Los Angeles

No Brodin on SWE surprises the hell out of me. Do they really think they'll get more out of Tallinder?

No Brodin on SWE surprises the hell out of me. Do they really think they'll get more out of Tallinder?
- Blackstrom2

Hedman as well, Sweden really (frank)ed up.

Hedman as well, Sweden really (frank)ed up.
- Nucker101

Brodin and Hedman matched up should be Top4 pairing for Sweden IMO

In truth Brodin has not been very good in the defensive end this year although he was slowed by a broken jaw. He is just not getting back to 100% in my mind. Needs to get better in defensive end but his offensive is coming along nicely. Kid is crazy talented and has just scratched the surface ofhis NHL potential.

Like lambs to the slaughter go the Wild tonight! With the human train wreck in goal tonight and half the squads top players on IR, I'm afraid to even turn my tv on...

Like lambs to the slaughter go the Wild tonight! With the human train wreck in goal tonight and half the squads top players on IR, I'm afraid to even turn my tv on...
- MnGump

A little veal marsala.

Head coach Mike Yeo was in his first season as bench boss for the franchise and his lone healthy 1st liner was Dany Heatley.
- Tony Dean

Another indication of how far Heatley's game has fallen - he was on Team Canada in 2010.

Another indication of how far Heatley's game has fallen - he was on Team Canada in 2010.
- Chinaski

Obviously Skating and Conditioning has been a major factor in Heatley's drop off but HONESTLY I would have to point to attitude and effort being the greatest difference between 2011-12 version of him and 2013-14 version.

Wild transition game is a freaking nightmare! Forechecking and back checking way to passive and lethargic... Passing is sloppy as hell.

Drives me nuts watching this team play... You watch the possession for each team, LA breaks the puck out every time with tight passing because the Wild forechecking is almost non existent because they immediately go into a defensive posture and LA systematically enters the zone looking to pass and delay dumping as far in as the top of the circle giving their players more time to enter the zone and position themselves for a solid forecheck...

The wild breakout of their own zone the majority of the time by dumping out to neutral which more times than not results in immediate turnover. When they do get through the neutral zone they immediately look to dump and chase before they even get to the blue line following with a one man forecheck in case they don't get to the puck first so that they can quickly switch back to their defensive posture and back check.

Such a futile method of creating offensive chances and puck control! They have to work harder at controlling the puck out of their own zone and through the neutral zone. Get really tired of getting the puck and shooting it around the boards or dump it to neutral...

Too many bad and just plain dumb passing decisions.

Wild defense taking some bad angles tonight and getting beat badly around the bottom circles with speed plays. Brodin and Suter included.

Well the shootout has definitely allowed the Wild to come away with more wins than they deserve against LA in the past couple of seasons, but I have to give all the credit in this one to the former train wreck Darcy Kuemper.

Stunning performance.

Well the shoutout has definitely allowed the Wild to come away with more wins than they deserve against LA in the past couple of seasons, but I have to give all the credit in this one to the former train wreck Darcy Kuemper.

Stunning performance.
- MnGump

Bet Kuemper earned another start in PHX.

Kids didn't play a pretty game but man they all wanted to win for the team. Very important experience for them. So easy to forget how young they all are. Bad luck provides great opportunity. Probably saved Yeo's job through end of the year at least which is fine by me,

Bet Kuemper earned another start in PHX.

Kids didn't play a pretty game but man they all wanted to win for the team. Very important experience for them. So easy to forget how young they all are. Bad luck provides great opportunity. Probably saved Yeo's job through end of the year at least which is fine by me,
- Tony Dean

Well if he can continue to play like that then so be it. But I have a feeling he got a bit lucky last night.

Well if he can continue to play like that then so be it. But I have a feeling he got a bit lucky last night.
- MnGump

Gave up some grade-A rebounds that LA wasn't able to capitalize on, but resembled little of the "train wreck" we have grown accustomed to. Great to see the kid show what he's capable of... now let's hope Yeo gives him another shot in Phoenix