WILD WEEKEND
The Wings picked up three of a possible four points after back to back games against the Minnesota Wild this weekend. The strong play over the weekend has put the Wings in the top Wildcard spot in the East, tied with the Maple Leafs but with two games in hand on the struggling Leafs, who have lost five straight games. The Wings may have vaulted themselves to the top Wildcard spot but there is still plenty of pressure on them as at least three teams are still within striking distance of sending the Wings of to an early summer.
Gustav Nyquist led the way with three goals over the two games against the Wild. Nyquist’s dominance over the score sheet over the past two months is almost as consistent of a storyline as the Wings’ injury problems. Game-in and game-out, Nyquist is making a case to be the next gem that the Wings dug out from late in the draft. He’s got hands, he’s got a shot that’s pin-point precise, and he just might be capable of leading a banged up team into the post season. Both of Nyquist’s goals on Sunday were an example of fantastic hockey sense as he got himself in the spots he needed to be to bang home a loose puck in the slot and later, get a jump on the Wild defense and give himself so much time on the breakaway he could’ve froze Bryzgalov three more times over.
Sunday’s game could’ve turned out much different had it not been for some stellar play from Jimmy Howard. Howard set the tone in the first half of the game with some huge saves, most notably five minutes into the first when he stoned Kyle Brodziak when he seemed down and out. The Wings were outshot 25-16 and in many ways outplayed for much of the game, and it was Howard that kept them in.
Yes, the Wings might’ve been outplayed. Yes, they squandered a two goal lead. Yes, it’s true they didn’t come out with the full two points but in many ways this kind of game is what this team needs from time to time down the stretch. Off games happen and games where the other team controls the play happen but the Wings were opportunistic, capitalizing on the chances they did generate and managed to come out with a point in a game that could’ve very easily left them leaving the Joe no further ahead in their march to the post season than they were at puck drop. Earning one point and pulling ahead of Toronto in the standings changes the complexion of what promises to be a very important matchup Tuesday night against the Jackets. A win in regulation on Tuesday will put the Wings three point ahead of Columbus and the difference between a two point gap and a three point gap down the stretch is massive.
Stay tuned for a Game Day update tomorrow!