WildHBcommunity: Wild Feeling the Heat in Desert Showdown
The Minnesota Wild finish a 2 game west coast road trip in Phoenix tonight
The Minnesota Wild 23 - 17 - 5 (51 points) will matchup tonight with the Phoenix Coyotes 21 - 12 - 9 (51 points) at the Jobing.com arena for what will be the second of three matchups between these franchises during the 2013-14 regular season. The Coyotes defeated the Wild in Saint Paul on November 27th 3-1 getting 28 saves from backup Thomas Griess in the victory. The Wild are 3-2-0 in their last 5 games and 4-6-0 while the Coyotes are 2-2-1 in their last 5 games and 3-3-4 in the last 10 games. The Wild’s road record on the season is 7-12-3 with the Coyotes home record this year being 21-12-9. The Coyotes have played 3 less games so far this season than the Wild which makes tonight’s matchup that much more important in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Phoenix Coyotes find Success with Diversified Offense
The 2013-14 version of the Coyotes follows the same blueprint for success that has seen them in previous season go unheralded and under-appreciated while sneaking up on the rest of the Western Conference. The Coyotes were able to retain their captain Shane Doan despite persistent rumors that his time in Phoenix was close to an end. The franchise then survived near certain relocation from their Glendale home despite a very public battle by the city council. Now that the Coyotes have their future secured, it time to focus on winning hockey games and their development of a diversified offense has them poised to make a significant run at Lord Stanley’s Cup this year.
The Coyotes currently are tied with 5 other NHL teams when it comes to players with 10 goals or more. For the Coyotes this season Shane Doan (13), Mikkel Boedker (13), Martin Hanzal (12), Antoine Vermette (12), Radim Vrbata (11) and Mike Ribeiro (10) all have scored 10 goals or more. The Coyotes are lead in points by Vrbata (31), Ribeiro (31), and Hanzal (30) while their team assist leader has been defencemen Keith Yandle (22).
This current Coyotes squad has been breaking hearts all over the NHL this season overcoming 2 goal deficits to earn at least a point in 9 games this season and are currently tied for an NHL lead 5 wins after trailing at the completion of the 2nd period. The way I interpret those numbers is that if you believe for one second you have put them away on any given night, prepare yourself for the letdown that is coming. This team has gotten outstanding goaltending this season from backup Greiss and their #1 Mike Smith. The duo has combined for a 21-12-9 record through 43 games. The Minnesota Wild Scrambling in Must Win Mode with Kid Lineup
After stealing a win via the shoot out against the Kings in Los Angeles two nights ago, the Coyotes will surely be prepared to pressure this young Wild lineup. Nobody was more important the victory Monday night than 23 year old netminder Darcy Kuemper who withstood an onslaught from the Kings and closed the door in the shootout. Kuemper is a highly thought of prospect despite scuffling in his limited appearances at the NHL level before Monday night. Kuemper’s development and potential directly impacted the Wild decision to included Matt Hackett in a deal with Buffalo last season that brought Jason Pominville to Minnesota.
Last night’s breakout performance by Kuemper came just in time for head coach Mike Yeo because there doesn’t seem to be a timetable for Josh Harding’s return from illness associated with multiple sclerosis treatment. Also in truth veteran Niklas Backstrom has looked every bit of his 35 years old this season struggling to find consistency in his limited appearances. Backstrom and Harding if healthy could be a formidable goaltending duo, it just has not been in the cards this season for either to be healthy at the same time.
If the Wild is to keep themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot despite missing so many key players, it will be as a direct result of each of their young forwards playing the hero and producing offensively. In LA it was Nino Niederreiter who carried the team with the game tying goal driving the net and then the shootout winner past Jonathan Quick. There was so many positive signs from group of 21 year olds during Monday night’s win. Charlie Coyle was the third shooter for the Wild during the shootout and although he missed his attempt it was not for lack of effort. Coyle flexed his stick so much trying to play hero it shattered in his hands causing the puck to go wide.
Although the outlook for this current Wild squad is murky at best for the rest of the season due to their devastating December collapse and deflating string of injuries to important players there is hope. I think that although the circumstances are so familiar for Wild fans given how the last 5 non lockout season have played out here in MN, having all these skilled exciting young players in the lineup has me glued to the action. I have always been a sucker for prospects over the kiddle of the road grinder type veterans. At minimum even if this team does fall out of playoff contention it will at least mean more ice time for the Coyle, Niederreiter, and the other young players.
The Wild’s terrible run of injury luck spared Marco Scandella it would seem as he took a puck off his skate like Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise did. He will be back in the lineup tonight though, the healthy scratch will be embattled veteran Keith Ballard who found himself benched for the entire 3rd period on Monday. The Wild called up free agent addition defenseman Jon Blum who will make his Wild debut this evening. Ballard has been extremely inconsistent for much of the season and it came to a head in LA. Blum is a skilled offensive player who found himself on the outs with Nashville this past offseason. Blum is a player the Wild will need to find out more about going forward because he could be an asset for the organization at just 24 years old. Blum has good size at 6’2… 194 lbs but must more physical in the defensive zone to stick in the NHL.
The latest victim of the black cloud injury curse that has been hovering over the Wild organization this season is Brett Bulmer. He is thought to have suffered a significant leg injury in Iowa. He was said to be traveling to Minnesota to get further evaluated today. Bulmer previously had his right knee reconstructed last year so the Wild is being very tight lipped about his current ailment especially given how well Bulmer had been playing in Iowa and his limited opportunity with the Wild this year. Bulmer was surely in line for more playing time with the Wild this year had he continued he current pace and performance so his loss would be damaging to the organization.
Individual Leaders Minnesota Wild Phoenix Coyotes Points: M. KOIVU (35),J. POMINVILLE (30),R. SUTER (29) R. VRBATA (31),M. RIBEIRO (31),M. HANZAL (30) Goals: J. POMINVILLE (18),Z. PARISE (15),N. NIEDERREITER (9) S. DOAN (13),M. BOEDKER (13),A. VERMETTE (12) Assists: M. KOIVU (27),R. SUTER (24),M. GRANLUND (15) K. YANDLE (22),M. RIBEIRO (21),R. VRBATA (20) PP Goals: Z. PARISE (8),J. POMINVILLE (5),D. HEATLEY (3) S. DOAN (6),R. VRBATA (5),A. VERMETTE (3) SH Goals: Z. PARISE (1) GW Goals: J. POMINVILLE (5),M. KOIVU (3),M. COOKE (2) S. DOAN (3),O. EKMAN-LARSSON (3),M. RIBEIRO (2) 3+ Goals: R. SUTER(1) R. VRBATA(1),A. VERMETTE(1) PIM: C. STONER (39),K. BALLARD (31),N. PROSSER (28) M. HANZAL (49),K. YANDLE (33),K. CHIPCHURA (30) Shots: Z. PARISE (144),J. POMINVILLE (125),M. KOIVU (103) R. VRBATA (143),K. YANDLE (120),M. HANZAL (108) +/-: N. NIEDERREITER (+9),M. COOKE (+7),J. SPURGEON (+6) R. KLINKHAMMER (+12),Z. MICHALEK (+10),T. KENNEDY (+7)
Last Game –Wild 2 at Kings 1 (SO): RW Nino Niederreiter tied the game in the third period before netting his first career shootout winner Tuesday night in Los Angeles. G Darcy Kuemper earned his first win of the season with a career-high 39 saves through overtime –the most by a Wild goalie this season –before stopping all four LA attempts in his first career shootout . Next Games (all times Central) 1/11 vs. COL 7 pm –FSN, KFAN 100.3 FM 1/12 at NSH 6 pm –FSN-PLUS, KFAN 100.3 FM 1/14 vs. OTT 7 p.m. –FSN, KFAN 100.3 FM Current Wild Injuries LW Zach Parise (IR) –7 games (lower body) G Josh Harding (IR) –3 games (illness) D Jared Spurgeon (IR) –2 games (lower body) C Mikko Koivu (IR) –1 game (ankle fracture) TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 107 Recent Transactions 1/7 –Loaned D Matt Dumba to Portland (WHL) 1/6 –Recalled D Jonathon Blum and F Erik Haula from Iowa (AHL) and placed G Josh Harding and C Mikko Koivu on IR 1/5 –Reassigned F Brett Bulmer to Iowa (AHL) 1/4 –Recalled F Brett Bulmer from Iowa (AHL) and placed D Jared Spurgeon on IR Upcoming Milestones D Ryan Suter –299 career points (47-252=299) LW Mike Rupp –99 career points (54-45=99) Wild vs. Coyotes ALL-TIME WILD RECORD: 22-21-5 (11-10-3 at Xcel Energy Center, 11-11-2 at Phoenix) 2013-14: The Wild lost the first meeting against the Coyotes, 3-1, at Xcel Energy Center (11/27)...LW Dany Heatley scored and G Niklas Backstrom stopped 23-of-25 shots on net... RW Radim Vrbata scored twice and LW Mikkel Boedker netted the Coyotes third goal…G Thomas Greiss made 28 saves to earn the win. WILD LEADERS: C Mikko Koivu has 22 points (6-16=22) in 27 games against Phoenix...Heatley owns 22 points (13-9=22) in 27 contests...Brodziak has 15 points (7-8=15) in 25 games. WILD GOALIES: Backstrom is 13-10-0 with a 2.19 GAA, a .929 SV% and three shutouts in 23 starts vs. the Coyotes...G Josh Harding is 1-0-0 with a 0.66 GAA and a .980 SV% in two starts...G Darcy Kuemper has not faced Phoenix. COYOTES LEADERS: Doan has 34 points (12-22=34) in 47 games against Minnesota...C Mike Ribeiro owns 22 points (4-18=22) in 26 contests...Vrbata has 21 points (13-8=21) in 34 games. COYOTES GOALIES: G Mike Smith is 4-5-1 with a 2.03 GAA, a .914 SV% and two shutouts in 10 games (eight starts)...Greiss is 1-1- 0 with a 2.53 GAA and a .909 SV% in two starts. CONNECTIONS: D Keith Ballard played three seasons with Phoe-nix and collected 87 points (19-68=87) in 233 games (2005- 08)... LW Mike Rupp skated in six games with the Coyotes in 2003-04 and one contest in 2005-06...Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett was assisted by Rick Wilson in Dallas, while also coach-ing Darryl Sydor...D Zbynek Michalek skated in 22 games with Minnesota in 2003-04. FAST FACT: Minnesota is 4-2-0 in the last six contests played in Phoenix with five of those six games decided by one goal. 10 Things to Know: 1. The Wild is 3-0-0 in 2014, looking to match its season-best four-game win streak, set Nov. 9-17. Minnesota also looks to claim victories in consecutive road games for the second time this season (Nov. 20-23). 2. Nino Niederreiter tied the game Tuesday before netting his first career shootout winner, adding five hits, four shots and a blocked shot in the victory. He has a career-best, three-game point streak (2-1=3) and five points (3-2=5) in his last five games. He’s third on the Wild with nine goals, fifth with 22 points and second with 108 hits in 45 games this season. He previously totaled three points (2-1=3) in 64 NHL games over parts of two seasons with the New York Islanders (2010-12). 3. Minnesota continues a stretch of four straight games and 12 of 13 games (Jan. 7-Feb. 1) against the Western Conference. The Wild is 12-9-3 against the Western Conference this season, while posting an 11-8-2 record against the East. Minnesota Wild: Media Notes 4. Mikael Granlund has a three-game assist streak (3) and six points (1-5=6) in six games since returning from an upper-body injury that saw him skate just 29 seconds in the span of 14 games (Nov. 23-Dec. 19). The 21-year-old has 18 points (3-15=18) in 32 games with the Wild this season after totaling eight points (2-6=8) in 27 games during his rookie year with Minnesota last season. 5. Minnesota has scored at least one third-period goal in 14 straight wins, dating back to a 2-1 shootout win vs. Toronto on Nov. 13. In that span, the third-period goals have been a game-winning goal in five games and have tied the game to force extra time before winning in a shootout in five other contests. 6. Ryan Suter used three shots to record his first career hat trick Saturday, becoming the first defenseman in Wild history to accomplish the feat and the first NHL blueliner to do so since March 20, 2011 (Subban). Suter’s two power-play goals were scored 42 seconds apart in the second period, becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to score twice in less than a minute (Elias Sports Bureau). He was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week (Dec. 30-Jan. 5) after recording four goals, two assists and a plus-6 rating in three games. He sits at 299 career points (47-252=299) and has recorded at least one point in 11 of his last 13 games, totaling 14 points (5-9=14) in that span. He ranks third on the Wild with 29 points (5-24=29) in 45 games this season, T-7th for most assists amongst all NHL defensemen entering play Wednesday. He leads the NHL in TOI/game (29:41), nearly two minutes more than any other player. He’s hit the 30-minute mark in nine of the last 12 games, 18 of the last 30 contests and 23 times overall –more than half the games this season. Since 2007-08, there have been 10, 35:00-plus performances in the NHL (regular season), and Suter totaled three of them in the span of six days this season –the top three TOI of his career. According to Elias Sports Bureau, his 108:19 TOI in three games Nov. 7-13 (36:06 average) is the most by any NHL player in three consecutive games since TOI started being tracked in 2000-01. He set a Wild franchise record with a career-high 36:51 at WSH (11/7). 7. Jason Pominville has two points (1-1=2) in his last three games and ranks second on the Wild with 30 points (18-12=30) this season, including 13 points (5-8=13) in the last 17 games. His 18 goals lead the Wild and rank T-17th amongst all NHL players entering Wednesday, while his five game-winning goals lead Minnesota and rank T-5th in the NHL. The former Sabres captain was acquired by the Wild April 3 and signed a five-year contract extension on Oct. 3. He scored the game winner in his return to Buffalo Oct. 14, completing a collection of goals against all 30 NHL franchises. 8. Five Wild players have been named to 2014 Olympic rosters: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter were named to the U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team Wednesday, Nino Niederreter was named to Switzerland’s Olympic team Monday and Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu were named to Finland's roster Tuesday. It will be Koivu's third trip to the Olympics, Parise and Suter's second time representing Team USA, and Granlund and Niederreiter's first Olympics. 9. Mikko Koivu underwent successful surgery on an ankle fracture Monday morning and is expected to return to play in approximately four weeks. He suffered the fracture in Saturday’s win vs. the Capitals, where he returned to the ice after being hit by a clearing attempt to tally two assists and stretch his point streak to five games (1-7=8) –his longest this season. The Wild captain leads Minnesota in assists and points (8-27=35) in 44 games this season, including 27 points (7-19=27) in the last 29 games. On Dec. 29, he became the first player in franchise history to record 300 assists (Bouchard, 241). At the time of his injury, he ranked third amongst all NHL forwards in TOI/game (21:34) and fifth in faceoffs won. He registered his 14th career shootout game-deciding goal Dec. 14 at COL, second for most amongst all NHL players, and his 33 career shootout goals rank fifth for most amongst all players. 10. Iowa Wild Update Last Game: 4-3 shootout loss at Milwaukee (1/6) Goal Scorers: Brett Bulmer (10), Kyle Medvec (2), Chad Rau (1) Goalie: Johan Gustafsson (28-of-31) Upcoming Schedule: at Grand Rapids (1/10 and 1/11) Leading Scorers: Brian Connelly (1-17=18), Erik Haula (9-8=17), Jonathon Blum (4-13=17), Brett Bulmer (10-5=15), Zack Phillips (6- 9=15)
Just My Take, Tony Dean
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