With the Wild winning both against Montreal and, last night, against New Jersey, the home cooking for the Wild continues, having won 6 of the last 7 at home now. This is a far cry from how the Wild opened the season by garnering only 1 point in each of the first 2 games against L.A. and Anaheim, albeit better teams, but still. On the positive side of those 2 extra time losses, besides that, the Wild have only suffered 1 other loss at home (to the Blackhawks, in regulation). Then again, beating the likes of Winnipeg, Dallas, Nashville, Carolina, Montreal and New Jersey at home doesn't necessarily make the Wild world beaters either. Next up, another little sister of the poor in Calgary. Frankly, Minnesota's home schedule doesn't get much more challenging until December. Prior to December, the Wild face Calgary, Toronto, Florida, Winnipeg, Phoenix and Colorado at home. In December, after they play Philadelphia on the 2nd, they then see Chicago, San Jose, Vancouver, New York (Islanders) and St. Louis. As such, provided the Wild continue their home dominance through November, the true test for this team probably comes on the road.
After playing the Flames at home tomorrow, the Wild travel to Washington D.C. and Carolina, both winnable games, before returing home for a 3 game home stand. They then play 4 games away from home in Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and St. Louis. They then come home for 2 before seeing Colorado in Denver on the back end of a home and home series to end November. In December, they travel to Columbus for 1 game away and then have a 3 game trip to Anaheim, San Jose and Colorador before a 4 game road trip to Pittsburgh, New York (Rangers), Philadelphia and Winnipeg.
I would submit to you that the better opposition is in the Wild's road games through December. On the road, so far this year, the Wild is a mere 2-3-1 having won in Buffalo (yawn) and Chicago (what!?!?!?!), losing in overtime in Florida and losing in regulation in Nashville, Toronto and Tampa Bay. It's a shame the Wild are not in the position of Colorado who, most experts agree, only have to play .500 hockey for the remainder of the season to qualify for the playoffs. The Wild are not so fortunate and are really already fighting for their playoff lives as most experts agree that the 2 wild card playoff spots will most likely come out of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. That leaves one of Colorado, Chicago, St. Louis or Minnesota most likely missing the playoffs if, indeed, the 2 wild card playoff spots are snagged by Pacific Division teams.
Too early to start worrying about the playoffs? No problem. Let's look at the individual performances of the Wild players next.
Jason Pominville is the bright spot on the front end for the Wild being the only true goal scorer for Minnesota thus far this season with 10 goals in 15 games. Next closest is Parise with 6 goals in 15 games.
Another bright spot for the Wild is the play of Granlund. Last season, he was to the Wild what Heatley has become. Good on him for figuring out his game and being the Oates to Pominville's Hall.
On the back end, Josh Harding continues to shine this season for the Wild notwithstanding his diagnosis of suffering from M.S. In his last 5 games he has 4 wins and an overtime loss with 2 shutouts and only one game with more than 1 goal scored against him. He leads all goalies in the NHL with a a 1.10 goals against average and a .950 save percentage and is tied for the most shutouts so far this season.
Right now, Harding, Granlund and Pominville are carrying the Wild. Heaven forbid any of the 3 get hurt. But, for now, it's so far, so good in November for the Minnesota Wild.