Dan Wallace: Did Not See That Coming...

I thought the hit on Greeway was questionable, Archibald was lining him up as he came out of the corner and looked to launch directly into Greenways head. His shoulder landed directly into the chin and face of a pretty tall dude. Doesn't seem like there is much outrage or condemnation over the hit so i'm assuming the league didn't find issue with it.

When i said to prepare for the thorough ass whoopin in yesterdays thread, i truly didn't expect it would be the Oil on the whoopin end of it...

Wild played a dominant first period and were very good in the 2nd period as well... was waiting for the other shoe to drop in the 3rd but they were able to bring just enough grit and team defense to keep the Oil off the scoreboard.

That being said, for whatever the reason the Wild always seem to bring their "A" game against Edmonton. Guess it's becoming more clear that the likes of Fiala and Donato are going to have to earn their way back into the line up if they want to play. Fiala's absence was unnoticed as was Donato for most of the last 2 periods of play.

Greenway on the other hand (up until he was injured) was ALL OVER the ice in the 1st period... and players like Mayhew and Dumont were highly visible throughout the game.

Don't want to get to excited as this is the first time this team has looked even remotely good and have come together for a full 3 periods, but obviously they do have some ability. Oilers could do nothing against the Wild offensively as the Wild were controlling the puck and swarming in the defensive zone whenever the Oilers had opportunity.

Donato has really been mia this season. Seems sort of Cousins-like. Plays well with a chip on his shoulder otherwise not the most motivated to bring it night in and night out.

I have to agree with that. Except Donato hasn't done anything since sitting a game, so even that didn't work. For players that are on bridge deals, you would be expecting more and it's just not showing. If anything, it just might be help Guerin figure out who he has to dump this year to have things improve going forward.

I do have to say that I am really enjoying watching Mayhew and Dumont out on the ice. If Fiala and Donato could play with that kind of fire game in and game out, it would really help the Wild. And whatever the coaching staff told Soucy at the end of last year that he had to work on, he must have really taken that to heart. I understand that he is not playing huge minutes, but he seems to be even more effective than expected with the minutes he does get.

And how about the Baby Wild! Starting the season with 5 wins and only 1 lose from a shootout? That's good news. Having a winning culture there just means the guys that come through the system, through Iowa, will have that winning attitude. Anas relishing more top spot time with Mayhew and Dumont up with the big club. Robson looking decent, Kaapo undefeated...though his save % is not all that great. Anyone know what is up with Dmitry Sokolov? Is he hurt or is he just not in playing shape (again)? I see that he has only played 1 game so far.

Haven't heard anything on Sokolov, and it's unfortunate the kid just doesn't seem to get it, because it sounds like if he could put it all together he'd be a hell of a player for the Wild at some point.

Dan Wallace: Did Not See That Coming...
- Dan Wallace

Not a ton of positives for this squad going forward, except Kaprisov looks like the real deal!!!! I think he will walk onto your top 6 with ease next season.