Hopefully afternoon starts and strong opponents are the cure for what ails the Wild. That's because their next four games are all matinee start times with the next three against some of the NHL's best. Beginning today in Winnipeg then home Monday late afternoon to host Pittsburgh and then off to Toronto for a rare 1PM Thursday afternoon game.
The Wild have been notorious for rising or falling to the level of their competition, so playing some of the league's best may just be what turns the tide.
The offense has been nearly nonexistent but they are due to have things go their as the law of averages would suggest. But that does not mean anything to a team that is in a real funk with not much daylight in sight. They are in line for a little good fortune in the offense department, but that means very little if the rest of the game is not up to the task.
Bruce Boudreau's team has played some pretty solid defense of late but the transition game without Dumba has been abysmal. The lone bright spot killing better than 85% of opponents man advantage opportunities good for 2nd best in the league. That was not the case in Chicago though, as the Hawks capitalized on 2 of their 4 power plays en route to a 5-2 win Thursday night.
Joel Eriksson Ek has been sent to Iowa to see if he can gain some confidence. But oddly no move has been made to replace him nor Matt Dumba on the roster as of yet.
Devan Dubnyk will be back between the pipes and I fully expect him to be ready with a fire in his belly to regain Boudreau's confidence.
There is no mincing words with Boudreau as he was not at all happy with the play of his team from top to bottom. He knows that something has to give, but I have to wonder how he feels about having no new options to work with in his lineup.
There is just over half a season to play, with the Wild closer to the bottom of the division than a guaranteed playoff position. No time to lose and every game is a tough opponent, so if they are going to make it to the dance for a seventh straight season, they will need to avoid any more extended losing streaks. Their current five game skid needs to end today.
UPDATE: Nick Seeler out with an upper body injury. Matt Bartkowski gets the call from Iowa to replace Seeler.
It's always hockey day in the State of Hockey!
Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17