MNWild Trip to East Coast Begins in the Big Apple Tonight Versus Rangers
This is a mobile blog for me as I am on a bit of time crunch today but I wanted to make sure I got something up before tonight's tilt at MSG. The Minnesota Wild will look to drive possession and build on their momentum in New York this evening. On Saturday this sqaud rained down 6 regular strength goals and a shorthanded tally at the X versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. They are still O-fer The Season on powerplay despite generating more than the league average for shots and scoring opportunities.
Tonight the Rangers will attempt to impose their will physically with their size and skill players in the Top6. Rick Nash is off to a very good start to the 2014-15 season and the Wild will have to knock him off the puck and account for him all game. The Rangers have a talented defensive corps lead by MN native Ryan McDonagh, they will look to eliminate the Wild's league best possession game by preventing zone entry and forcing turnovers in the defensive zone.
Anothter game and another type line of offensive gifted opponents to eliminate for the Erik Haula centered 3rd line with Nino Niederreiter and î¼Justin Fontaine. I have lobbied to anyone that will listen why I believe Nino should be playing Top 6 RW minutes BUT Yeo is getting a ton of consistency and effectiveness out of Haula/Nino together in the current role they have been assigned.
I laughed when I saw that Mikko Koivu lit the lamp after I called into question his decision making when presented the opportunity to shoot the puck and being shadowed by opponents because he is a pass-first pass-mostly type of player. I think that as the season goes on teams will adjust their attention from Thomas Vanek as a goal scorer type to a playmaker capable player. Right now Vanek has been using all the attention and urgency of opponents against them to setup his linemates for scoring opportunities.
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I have heard the argument that Jason Zucker should stay on 4th line because it gives that line a scoring threat and provides better balance throughout the forward lines. I am not huge fan of this rationale given that I think Zucker playing along with Koivu and Vanek would allow the veteran forwards an opportunity to find #16 all over the ice with their playmaking skills. I am firm believer Justin Fontaine belongs playing 4th line minutes and in the rotation with Brodziak. Zucker has shown his speed and shooter mentality give the Wild an edge and he has even created quite a matchup nightmare for teams on the power play that get over extended resulting in Zucker flying free. I realize Yeo has more track record and trust with Charlie Coyle and Justin Fontaine but that is not what is going to get the Wild secondary scoring and victories. I wanted Nino to 2nd Line BUT I thought Haula with Coyle and Nino was a force in both ends so basically................ FREE ZUCKER let him EAT!
I am going to make a trip to POOR Richards in Bloomington tonight to scout the competition WildXtra. If you are in attendance say hello please!
Just My Take, Tony Dean @TonyDeanHB