Dan Wallace: Lineup Changes as Wild Face Elimination

BB must put Koivu's line against the Wheeler line. If he plays Staal's line vs that line you might as well mail in the game.

I hardly think anyone around the league would call that a "minor" penalty Ron. Pretty sure any coach around the league would be upset if one of their guys took a crosscheck to the dome and nothing got called. I also don't think that there's many wild fans out there that felt this team has a legit cup shot.

That being said, I don't believe that alone cost them the game. The only thing pathetic here is this team's clear lack of drive and will to win. Year after year we see other teams outwork and out hustle the wild. I personally am hoping for a GM change. Its time for fresh eyes to come in here and make some changes, this team clearly isn't built for long runs.
- mnMild

This is a very respectable post. You're right it could very well have been a major penalty that very well could have led to a tying goal. I guess my whole point is that it's rather pathetic for a coach to blame external factors for a loss when the team couldn't even score a goal to tie it up. Boudreau has no clue what would have happened given a 5v3 and neither do I. It's at least equally as likely to assume the Wild wouldn't have scored anyways even if that call was made. I just dislike the coach acting like a false prophet to make excuses for a loss.

This is a very respectable post. You're right it could very well have been a major penalty that very well could have led to a tying goal. I guess my whole point is that it's rather pathetic for a coach to blame external factors for a loss when the team couldn't even score a goal to tie it up. Boudreau has no clue what would have happened given a 5v3 and neither do I. It's at least equally as likely to assume the Wild wouldn't have scored anyways even if that call was made. I just dislike the coach acting like a false prophet to make excuses for a loss.
- RonPielep

Boudreau would have whined about it regardless of them winning or losing. He spent a while complaining about a clean hit from Pietrangelo in the Wild's playoff win last year too, as an example. He does it (IMO) in an effort to work the officials for next game, not meaning it as an excuse. Now, maybe it sounds like an excuse, and maybe he shouldn't have said it, but I really think he is motivated by helping them win their next game, not avoiding responsibility for the last one.

Boudreau would have whined about it regardless of them winning or losing. He spent a while complaining about a clean hit from Pietrangelo in the Wild's playoff win last year too, as an example. He does it (IMO) in an effort to work the officials for next game, not meaning it as an excuse. Now, maybe it sounds like an excuse, and maybe he shouldn't have said it, but I really think he is motivated by helping them win their next game, not avoiding responsibility for the last one.
- Antilles

Honestly, I'm not even a fan of Boudreaus, but what coach doesn't use those tactics in a playoff series? Maurice did it with lack of slash calls in the first couple games and with the Foligno take down of Myers. So why wouldn't BB gripe about a terrible non call like the hit on Staal?

Honestly, I'm not even a fan of Boudreaus, but what coach doesn't use those tactics in a playoff series? Maurice did it with lack of slash calls in the first couple games and with the Foligno take down of Myers. So why wouldn't BB gripe about a terrible non call like the hit on Staal?
- MnGump

The difference is that Maurice complained about the non-calls (the Trouba hit more than the Myers incident), Boudreau said it was the reason they lost as though winning and losing was out of their hands for the other 58 minutes of the game.

The difference is that Maurice complained about the non-calls (the Trouba hit more than the Myers incident), Boudreau said it was the reason they lost as though winning and losing was out of their hands for the other 58 minutes of the game.
- 2.0

Well in all fairness to Boudreau, he said "it cost them the game". But my point was in response to Antilles comment in that apparently Boudreau is the only one that engages in working the officials in order to favor calls.

Plays Staal against the Wheeler line and they already are a -1...

Theyre done. Maybe Fletcher will finally be gone after this latest playoff letdown. And before anyone brings up that they were missing Parise and Suter, what did this core ever do in the playoffs when those two were healthy?

Boudreau would have whined about it regardless of them winning or losing. He spent a while complaining about a clean hit from Pietrangelo in the Wild's playoff win last year too, as an example. He does it (IMO) in an effort to work the officials for next game, not meaning it as an excuse. Now, maybe it sounds like an excuse, and maybe he shouldn't have said it, but I really think he is motivated by helping them win their next game, not avoiding responsibility for the last one.
- Antilles

Yep it's entirely possible. In fact this seems like the only plausible angle to me.

Couldn’t even go out with a fight... just lay down. Pathetic

Well in all fairness to Boudreau, he said "it cost them the game". But my point was in response to Antilles comment in that apparently Boudreau is the only one that engages in working the officials in order to favor calls.
- MnGump

Where in my comment do I suggest Boudreau is the only one who does that? I was defending BB's motivations.

Couldn’t even go out with a fight... just lay down. Pathetic
- MnGump

Couldn't agree more. Really thought they would rally around the suspension of Morrissey and find a way to get another home game. They just did not look ready to go tonight.

Well at least there are 2 more periods

Hoping Leopold cleans house. New GM, new coaching staff. Trade Coyle, Nino and Zucker for picks/prospects. These guys were supposed to be the future and they have a combined zero points in the post season. Defensive depth needs improvement. Prosser is not a starting d man in the nhl nor should he be. It's time for major changes.

CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE! Same song and dance, year after year. Signing off for the season, and as usual, fire everyone and start over!

CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE! Same song and dance, year after year. Signing off for the season, and as usual, fire everyone and start over!
- Tweaterben

meh, there was no choke, this squad was never in it enough to choke anything

Let the firings begin!!!

meh, there was no choke, this squad was never in it enough to choke anything
- MnGump

Agreed. Quite the embarrassment. Blow the whole thing up.

Hoping Leopold cleans house. New GM, new coaching staff. Trade Coyle, Nino and Zucker for picks/prospects. These guys were supposed to be the future and they have a combined zero points in the post season. Defensive depth needs improvement. Prosser is not a starting d man in the nhl nor should he be. It's time for major changes.
- MnGump

Hey MnGump - I have appreciated your commentary and perspective of the Jets/Wild series - how about staying with us on P Tessier's Jets buzz for the balance of the playoffs? We can use some outside of Winnipeg fans perspective to help keep it real.