Eric Staal scored his 40th goal of the season and it could not have come at a more opportune time. With the Wild trailing 1-0 Staal took a nifty pass from Mikael Granlund off a give and go, outwaited Nashville goaltender, Pekka Rinne, sliding the puck into the net to tie the game with 3:15 left in the 3rd period.
Staal joined Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to have 40 goal seasons at least 9 years between 40 goal campaigns. Howe actually went 12 seasons between his 40 goal years 1956-57 and 1968-69. The Wild were able to draw the game even thanks to the Staal goal, but in the end were done in by the skills competition. My only question of course was why not Eric Staal in the shootout? A shootout loss in possibly the toughest NHL barn is nothing to be ashamed of for the Minnesota Wild. Their three game playoff test was met head-on with the Wild taking 4 of a possible 6 points against maybe the best two teams in the league.
Prior to the three games, I said that 4 of 6 points would make a statement that the Wild are here to compete. Well they got that, and in the process have put together their best three game stretch of the season at precisely the right time.
In all three games the Wild allowed the first goal but tightened the reigns and stuck to the game plan with all four lines. The last two games saw the Wild score late in the third periods to draw even and earn valuable points in the standings. Possibly the most telling stat in the 1-0-2 stretch is the 3 goals against in regulation time.
Now the next three games will tell us something too. Dallas in a home and home and Edmonton at home next Monday. Three teams outside the playoffs, there is no time to sag for the Wild as they themselves have not secured their own playoff position either.
Dallas has not yet been eliminated but their playoff hopes are most certainly on life support. The Wild have an opportunity to put their division rivals playoff hopes to rest with a win tomorrow night. That would be especially sweet for the fans in the State of Hockey who have very little love and affection for the Stars for obvious reasons of course.
The Wild 4th line again played well last night despite being on the ice for the lone Nashville goal. Marcus Foligno continues to play a strong game, with the most notable attribute being his increased pace of play. He is battling harder in the defensive zone and on the boards and has become a real force going to the front of the opposing net.
This is the Foligno that Chuck Fletcher had envisioned in a Wild uniform, I am sure. So if this is what we get from Foligno when the games and stakes are raised then the first 65 games or so really don't matter.
Jordan Greenway had a bit of a rough first period but settled in and appeared more comfortable playing his game better in the 2nd and 3rd periods.
Another solid game from Ryan Murphy. He skates very well moves the puck smartly and always plays with his head up. His shot is underrated and the fact that he knows how and when to take, making sure that it gets through to the net is a valuable asset from an active defenseman.
Murphy made a huge defensive play with just under a minute remaining holding off not one but two Nashville forecheckers and somehow coming away with the puck. Plays like that can not be overlooked in the grand scheme of things and Chuck Fletcher needs to receive his kudos for that slick signing on July 1st.
Six games remaining with only 2 of those at home, Tomorrow versus Dallas and then Monday against Edmonton. These next three again are a different kind of test than the one the Wild just went though. Now can the Wild get up for two teams outside the playoffs, both playing loose with lots of top end talent.
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