Come on Gump, find the silver lining...Zucker did score TWICE last night. And the silver lining that I am talking about is Zucker actually scored on that breakaway after coming out of the penalty box. He has either shot into the stomach of the goalie or way off net for most of the year...and this time, he actually scored. And if you watch that goal closely, he didn't try to do anything special. You can tell from the moment he gets the puck calmed down, he was going top shelf, blocker side. In other words, he didn't get fancy, but just went simplified. And really, that is all that the Wild did for the first 2 periods. They played a simple (yet effective) defensive game. Like BB said when Pierre interviewed him on the bench "we don't have the speed they do, so we just have to play a simple and controlled game"...or something like that was said.
Watching that game last night, I really enjoyed the comments about how BB devised a great game plan to bottle up the Jets last night. Just wish they could have done that for all 3 periods. But even in the 3rd period, most shots basically came from way outside. They ones that were coming from in close and in the middle...well, they went in.
Another thing I noticed, or agree on, is that Coyle seems to have awakened playing C. I just wish that when he carries the puck from down low to up to the blue line, he would be going to the right side instead of the left. Going to the left, he is always on his backhand, which makes it harder to shoot or pass from. If he could start charging from down low up the right side wall, I think that would open up even more chances for him to make plays.
I have to say, even though we all know the Wild's season will have some highs and a lot of lows, last nights game was just fun to watch...at least the first 2 periods.
And Gump, you chewed out Zucker before last night's game. Can you write something seething about Nino before the Red Wings game on Saturday? I've said before, but I think when you really call a player out, their next game is usually good. You might need to make that a regular practice. Maybe its you that needs to lead the Wild to the Cup. Think I'm superstitious?