MNWild Penguins #1 Offense in St.Paul Tonight Versus Wild #1 Defense
The Penguins Ties to the Wild Should Create a Heated Battle This Evening
I realize the picture above is pretty useless but it is the exact moment that Evgeni Malkin broke Erik Haula's jaw during international play last year. With both Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma no longer running the Penguins organization there exists less of a tie to the franchise for Minnesota Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo but there is still ex-Wild Pascal Dupuis and former Gopher Paul Martin.
The most significant thing about this matchup tonight is that the #1 offense will be coming into the Excel Energy Center with a 42% on the power play to face the #1 defense with 89% PK rate and league leading 1.80 goals against per game. The Wild is also 3rd overall with a 3.40 goal for per game only behind Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh.
Since adding Jason Zucker and Charlie Coyle to the wings of the Mikko Koivu line, opponents have been dominated possession and opportunity wise by the Wild's Top 6 forwards. Maybe even more impressive has been the scoring and production the Bottom 6 has generated this year so far. With the Top 6 locked in it has been a strength of Yeo's squad using guys like Thomas Vanek, Nino Niederreiter, Justin Fontaine, Erik Haula, Ryan Carter, Matt Cooke, and Kyle Brodziak in the bottom 6 against less skilled competition.
I joined the HockeyWilderness Crew on Sunday Night to record their Podcast you can find it here:
The Wild Blue Line Missing Jared Spurgeon NEEDS the Kids to Step Up
I was so excited to see Mathew Dumba carry the puck from the corner blue line just inside the zone to the center blue line and fire a shot past Kari Lehtonen on Saturday night. That is exactly what will justify Dumba staying here in Minnesota rather than hitting I-35 south when Spurgeon returns or before. The truth is the Wild does not generate many pucks on the goaltender from the blue line and that limits the opportunity for rebounds and dirty goals.
Dumba must add to the offense with his play for his role to increase, the best way to get started at that would be to fire the puck more. This kid has a heavy shot and great offensive instincts but he has yet to show consistency and confidence in his ability to unleash the type of play that saw him become nearly a point or more a game player after returning to the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks last year.
I am huge believer in the NHL capabilities of Christian Folin because this kid can do just about everything required of a defender while having the size to play physical against opponents. As Folin gains more experience in the NHL he will flash more of his ability to contribute in the offensive end. Folin literally shot a puck through an NCAA net during his time at UMass-Lowell.
Plus just being honest about it, these kids better get their games together otherwise they will be replaced by Nate Prosser, Keith Ballard, and Jon Blum. Nobody wants that to be the case but these veterans are looking to capitalize on any opportunity to get into the NHL lineup at the expense of these two young defenders.
Just My Take, Tony Dean
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