NHLHotStove.com Western Conference Panel Questions

1. Are the Red Wings back as an elite force in the conference after a slight let down in 2009-10? Why or Why not?

I don’t think they have changed, the only difference between this year and last is that the talent in their division is a little lower, all last year they had to try and keep up with Chicago and may have put too much pressure on themselves.

2. Are the Dallas Stars the biggest surprise or biggest overachiever in the conference?

They are the overachiever in the Pacific but what is helping them out the most is that San Jose, Los Angeles, and Phoenix are not playing up to their levels. I think second half of the season Dallas falls out of the top.

3. Which team is the biggest underachiever to date?

With the addition of Halak to the Blues along with a healthy Erik Johnson I thought they would be a lot better but can’t completely place blame on the team when they are missing key players on IR.

4. Who has done the best coaching job to date?

Colorado’s Joe Sacco, at the start of the season I thought that Vancouver was the clear winner in the Northwest but he has this Avalanche team believing they can win the division.

5. Who is the conference MVP to date?

Tossup between Cory Perry and Brad Richards due to the fact that I didn’t see either of their teams being viable playoff contenders but both players giving their teams hope and leading by example along with averaging over a point per game.

6. The top 8 in the East are dramatically outscoring the top 8 in the West. Is the style of game 

play out west more about defense and goaltending than before?

I think that style of play between the 2 conferences are starting to become more alike. Colorado is the highest scoring team in the league while only 2 teams out east have outscored the #8 seed Chicago at the moment. The lower scoring teams such as Nashville, Dallas, and Anaheim have to play more defensive to stay competitive and in the playoff hunt.  

7. First impression of the kids out in Edmonton?

Very bright future in Edmonton and can’t wait to see what they will do to build around Hall, Eberle, and Paajarvi. 2-3 years and the Oilers could be the class of the conference.

8. Which team in the league is the toughest to play when 100% healthy?

Detroit is a stacked team from top to bottom and full of players that know what it takes to play at the top level of hockey.

9. The top line in the conference is?

The Sedin line in Vancouver, it doesn’t matter who you put with them they are an unstoppable force that racks up points. I can’t prove it but I am pretty sure that they have some kind of twin ESP thing going on.

10. Which team currently out of the top 8 has the best chance at making it back in?

I don’t think Anaheim can keep up with everyone in the West. They are the only team that is in the top 8 with a minus in GF/GA and think that LA will make the jump in the second half to take their spot.

NHLHotStove.com Minnesota Wild Correspondent

Josh Sargent

Twitter: @Josh_Sargent

What the Wild are Lacking

What the Wild are Lacking

NHLHS Minnesota Wild correspondent Josh Sargent goes over what he feels this team is lacking and what they need to do to change it.

            As most people know, I am a diehard Wild fan who yes will admit has been known to drink the kool-aid from time to time, but I am also realistic too. Over this season so far if you are a Wild fan or just like to watch the team you probably feel like I do, stuck on a rollercoaster that never stops and only goes up and down. As frustrating as those highs and lows can be it can be just as troublesome when the GM tells the team “Win or there will be changes.”

            Yes, this team is lacking in areas and here are the biggest areas that I feel need to be addressed. By no means are these going to be quick fixes but if you look around the league the top teams have “it”.   

            Lack of a “tough” guy: The loss of Derek Boogaard and John Scott are hurting the team more than they thought it would. That case was proven when they went into Dallas last Friday and Steve Ott basically did anything that he wanted. From harassing Martin Havlat and Pierre-Marc Bouchard to literally crashing the net and running over Jose Theodore a couple times. Ott was given the first star of the game due to the fact he did anything that he wanted to and he scored a goal as well. Not having someone who could “force” Ott to play clean may have cost the Wild a win that night.

            Yet the presence of a tough guy not only gives your team protection but also caused disruption to the game plans of others as Ott did to the Wild. Later in Boogaards time with Minnesota he learned that, whenever the team would face off with Edmonton it seem that he knew what to do to get under their skin. Big hits and constant harassment gave way to bigger plays to Koivu and Gaborik.

             Heading out on this West coast road trip I don’t see the next couple games being any different. There is not a single player on the Wild roster that can step up to some of the heavy weights in the West. As much as I respect Brad Staubitz he is not the kind of person that is going to keep a team in check and be a physical presence on the ice. If the Wild can find someone, anyone, to fill this roll it will give players like Havlat, PMB, Cullen, and Koivu space to make plays and score goals.

            Lack of talented youth: Since the departure of Marion Gaborik the threat to score at will for this team has left with him. There is no future super star on this team at the moment that can spark to life into this team. Now that is not to say they don’t have talent on the team with Guillaume Latendresse, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, and Martin Havlat but Latendresse is the youngest of the 3 and we have yet to see what he can do for a full season.

            Vancouver has Ryan Kesler and Colorado Paul Stastny that they both have built solid teams around, while Edmonton has two in Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall who will bring them back to the playoffs in years to come. Minnesota has…….Mikael Granlund. Who?? Exactly. Granlund is 18yrs old playing professionally in Finland drafted by the Wild last spring. Though he does have plenty of potential nobody is clamoring to get him up to the NHL level as soon as possible. Not seeing him play personally I can’t say that he won’t be a solid player in the future but it doesn’t feel like we have this next big thing waiting in the wings.   

            Lack of solid leadership: Yes this is a slight knock on our captain but when he gets upset that fellow Finn and BFF Antti Miettinen wasn’t going to be play on his top line you have to question him a bit. There is no doubt that everyone regards the Minnesota Wild as Mikko’s team I just don’t see him taking a solid leadership role on the ice this season and holding teammates responsible for blown assignments or faulty play.

            Maybe Jaques Lemaire did have it right, he would chose the team captain by committee. Every month he would pick the player that was stepping up and leading the team in games and practices. This team is full of savvy vets who have been on this team for years and to not see a Brunette, Koivu, Burns, or even Schultz step up and call out the team and expect more of them is ridiculous.  One of these players needs to step up and take charge of the team, without solid leadership this team is going to go nowhere.

            Coaching Decisions: Now this isn’t to say that Todd Richards is not a good Coach or that he doesn’t know what he is doing, but with over a third of the season over with “What is he doing?”

            Game after game thus far Coach Richards has not been able to make game time adjustments to help his team. Mixing lines has never been a strong suit for him but continually keeping lines together and not mixing them up is starting to do more harm than good. How often have we seen this year the Wild come out flying in the first with speed and determination only to get completely stopped in the 2^nd and shutdown in the 3^rd.  One of his biggest decision gaffs being when he kept Niklas Backstom in net after he gave up 4 goals in the 2^nd period to Colorado only to give up 2 more in the third and lost 7-4.

            A big question on the Coaching is how well do the players listen and trust them? I’m pretty sure about this but when you have to bring in a Spec. Ops Army Ranger into the locker room to inspire the team you are not do a good job at it. If the players decide to quit on Richard we might as well shut down the season now, having a frustrated Owner and GM is only going to force them to make trades and fire people. Although I don’t want to see that, on the bright side we’ll probably have a high draft pick come spring.

Josh Sargent                                                                                                                                                                       

NHLHS Minnesota Wild Correspondent

Twitter: @Josh_Sargent

Wild Highs and Lows

NHLHS Minnesota Wild Correspondent Josh Sargent gives the highs and lows of a completely unpredictable season.

            The Wild face off with the Calgary Flames tonight at the Saddledome, and if you think that you know how the Wild will come out and play tonight we need to have a conversation about what the lotto numbers will be this week. With a record of 11-9-2 and currently in 3^rd place in the division there is no sure thing with this team.

            Throughout the season they have been starting new traditions and breaking old ones, from being completely inept to a dominating force, and just when you think you have them figured out BAM! they crush your spirit.

            When they defeated the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 at home people where getting excited for the upcoming road trip vs. Edmonton and Vancouver to prove that it wasn’t just a home stand fluke. Going into Edmonton the Wild spent a whole period on the penalty kill and were lucky to come out with a win only to face off with a Canucks team that was looking return the beating they took in Minnesota. The Wild came out with nothing and it honestly looked as if they switched uniforms from their previous meeting.  

            The next four games at home were against some of the league’s top talent. Between LA, Chicago, San Jose and Washington the Wild only gave up 6 goals, I don’t know how everyone feels but I thought that was huge. Niklas Backstrom almost shut out the Capitals until Ovechkin scored in the last 2 minutes but had his first home shut out in 41 starts against San Jose winning 1-0. Prior beating the Sharks Minnesota had a record of 3-16 vs. San Jose, while Washington has never beat the Wild at the X (just thought I would throw that in).

            Soon after the 5 game home stand it was time for the team to venture out and play Columbus (where they never win at), Atlanta and Florida (who they owned in the past), then finishing with a up and coming Tampa squad.

            With Jose Theodore in net the Wild finally won a game in Columbus and were riding high into Atlanta. I would hear people on the radio and TV saying that this trip they could take 3 out of the 4 games now; that they should be able to run over the Thrashers and Panthers like they have done traditionally in the past.

            Again after a great win they came out completely flat and ran into a human train by the name of Dustin Byfuglien (who is from MN and at least one thing we can be proud of) and lost 5-1. Looking for a rebound win the next day they gave up 2 goals in under a minute losing 2-1. Despite the loss Minnesota did look like they buckled down and played a solid game for the remaining 2 periods.  Picking up a win in Tampa Minnesota ended the trip completely opposite of how everyone thought it would go, 2 of 4 yes, beating Tampa and Columbus no.  

            How did they follow that up, by beating a hot Anaheim team then going to Detroit where they never win and beat the Wings 4-3.  Leading the Wings 2-1 going into the 3^rd period and never giving up when Detroit tied it to head to overtime, then pulling out the win.  It brought everyone one back up in the fan base from disgruntled to overjoyed with how gutty the team was.

            With everyone in high spirits Minnesota took on the NY Rangers and team deserter Marion Gaborik. Now hated in Minnesota Gabby was booed every time he touched the puck and cheered when he was hit into the boards. Gaborik though, was the one with the last laugh when his Rangers left the X with a 5-2 win, followed by Philly who put on a scoring clinic dominating the game 6-1.   

            With another back to back set of games the Wild came out like a totally different team yet again and destroyed the Predators 5-2. Where did this team come from?? Only scoring 3 goals in the last 2 games and giving up 11, Minnesota scored all 5 goals 5 on 5!!

            Heading to Colorado with a lot of confidence, where traditionally they won all last year, and had a 2 game shutout of the Aves in Denver you had to think they had a chance right? Well they at least did lead the game going into the 2^nd period but then the flood gates opened. Denver rattled off 20 shots in the 2^nd and scored 4 goals. For some reason Coach Richards kept a beaten down Backstrom in the game only to surrender 2 more goals before pulling him.

            This team has given up 20 goals in the last 4 games yet I can’t tell you who I think will win tonight. Minnesota couldn’t pull off a win in Calgary for the better part of, well, ever. But to say that they will lose, no clue. Who is to say that the team that put up 5 even strength goals on the Preds won’t show up or the gritty, gutty, grind it out team that won in Detroit. They could even be the team that spent 1/3 of the game in the box like they did in Edmonton yet still pull out the win. Or, we could see the team that Vancouver, Atlanta, Colorado, Philly, and NY walked, ran, jogged, all over.

            You might have better luck winning the lotto then try and pick what Wild team will show up tonight. Up, Down, Black, Red, Even, Odd, Hit, Split, or ride it all on the river card sound like better options then trying to guess that. Like Jekyll and Hyde you just don’t know who you’re going to get.

Josh Sargent

NHLHS Minnesota Wild Correspondent

Facebook: @Josh_Sargent

"wild" road trip recap

            What was looking to be a promising 4 game road trip for the Wild turned into yet another inconsistent spread of games. Prior to leaving the confines of the Excel Arena people were talking about how good this team is, about the potential they are showing, and how Coach Todd Richards has been able to turn this team around form what they were at the start of the season.  Finally, it looked as if they were heading out on the road a more disciplined team, playing shut down defense against some of the league’s top talent while staying out of penalty trouble.  

            Heading to Columbus they were only 2 points back from being tied with Vancouver for the lead in the division and looking for some payback from the last time these two teams met. Coming into the X for the Wild’s second home game the Columbus Blue Jackets walk out winners after RJ Umberger scored the game winner on a shorthanded goal. Determined to not let it happen again the Wild were focused on picking up their third win in a row.

            Although it wouldn’t be easy with the Jackets off to their best start in franchise history at 8-4-0 and Garon with two shutouts in a row, the Wild were up for the test. Jose Theodore stood on his head saving 35 shots while only giving up 2 goals. Brent Burns had his first multi goal game of his career netting 2 PPGs but the biggest play came from the NHL’s hits leader Cal Clutterbuck.  Clutterbuck chased a puck into the Columbus zone and laid a massive hit on the Jackets Jason Voracek taking out two players at once then skating to the top of the crease where he was able to net the game winner from an Eric Nystrom pass.

            Winning 3-2 Jose Theodore said that the team was playing with a lot of confidence and it showed. With 3 more road games it looked as if this team could easily take the next two playing teams they have had historically good success against in the past, but the one sure thing about this Wild team is that they have proven to be consistently inconsistent.

            Heading into Atlanta to face a Thrashers team who the Wild had a lifetime record of 6-1-2 a majority thought this would be a sure thing. Atlanta ranked in the bottom of the league in GAA (3.60) and PK% (75.5) witch the Wild matched up well with and wanted to take full advantage of, but the one thing over looked was that they were also in the top ten in the league in goals per game (3.66).

            This was a game that showcased 3 of the NHL’s top defensemen in Brent Burns, Dustin Buyfuglien, and Tobias Enstrom. Burns coming off his two goal game was tied with Buyfuglien for goals among defensemen with 5 each. While what was thought to be a game the Wild could take turned into a scoring clinic for the Thrashers. Playing completely flat throughout the game the Wild left Backstrom out to dry on multiple goals.

            Losing 5-1 the Thrashers controlled the tempo throughout the game. On multiple goals the Wild defense made costly turnovers and was unable to clear the crease where unchecked Atlanta players put away easy goals. The play of Justin Falk and Cam Barker was so bad that Coach Richards had to split them up and pinning them to Brent Burns and Nick Schultz. Although a little better, the defense still couldn’t get going. Though not all on blame is on the defense, Mikko Koivu failed to pick up a player trailing on a breakaway behind him where the Thrashers were able to score yet again.   

            Even though they took a beating, the game was not without some high points.  Antti Miettinen scored the lone goal for the Wild on a power play goal in his first game back from a concussion on a Dustin Brown hit to the head playing the LA Kings. The Wild played almost the whole game before committing their fist penalty with just less than 3 minutes left in the game, but then took one more 2 minutes later. Niklas Backstrom played a solid game despite giving up 5 goals. Saving 29 out of 34 shots he was the main reason that they had a chance going into the third.

            So after losing in Atlanta the Wild hoped to turn it around playing the Panthers the following night. With his great performance in Columbus, Jose Theodore got the call in net giving Backstrom the night off in back to back games. After the poor showing from the defense in Atlanta the Wild called up Marco Scandella from their AHL affiliate the Huston Aeros scratching Justin Falk from the game.

            Giving up 2 early goals less than a minute apart Theodore collected himself and shut down the Panther the rest of the night. Cal Clutterbuck was able to cut the lead in half tying Brent Burns in team goals with 5, but it was too little too late. The offense of the Wild just couldn’t get anything going for a second night in a row and dropped their second game of the trip. Jose Theodore and Thomas Vokoun played lights out not giving any ground to the opposing team and being the reason for such a low scoring game.

            At the end of play Steve Brenier took a run at the Wild’s Brent Burns, Burns put his hands up and caught Brenier in the face with the butt-end of his stick. Brenier went to the ice immediately. Burns received a fighting major and game misconduct penalty for the incident. Brenier was taken to the hospital where he received medical attention but will need facial surgery to correct the broken orbital bone in his face. Acknowlaged by both teams, Burns is not a dirty player and accidents happen. It was reported that Burns was so worked up over the incident that he was feeling physically sick after. The following day Burns had a conference call with the league and was handed a 2 game suspension.

            Heading to Tampa a player short and dropping 2 of the 3 games the Wild needed a big win to salvage this road trip. With Burns out the Wild called back home and put Marek Zidlicky on a flight to fill their hole in defense. Zidlicky didn’t make the trip to play the Thrashers and Panthers due to a groin injury but desperate times call for desperate measures. Backstrom got the call to play net and knew the Wild would be leaning on him heavily.

            Tampa was looking to right their ship losing 5 of the last 6 games but the Wild offense finally came to play. Being outshot 16-6 Cal Clutterbuck, John Madden, and Antti Miettinen all scored in the first while Backstrom only let on through on a blast from Martin St. Louis. Quietly dominate Backstrom then proceeded to play how he has all season long not allowing Tampa another goal the rest of the game.

            The Wild walked out of Tampa with the win and a big boost in confidence. Martin Havlat had 3 assists; Madden had a goal and assist, while Antti Mietinen scored his second in 3 games. Backstrom stopped a season high 37 pucks in the win improving his stats to 1.98 GAA and .937 SV%.  Despite the solid win Cal Clutterbuck was pulled from the game in the second period and listed as having an upper body injury.

            Finishing the trip 2-2 is not so bad when you look and see how it could have ended. Looking as if Coach Richards has fixed the penalty problem the team had at the beginning of the year his focus now needs to look at the offense of the team and possibly trying to fill the defensive holes that were made apparent on the trip. The team’s inconsistency if continued will be the reason why they fail this year. On the bright side though, the tandem of Niklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore is looking like a solid one two punch for the Wild and being able to rely on both your goaltenders is huge.

Josh Sargent

NHLHS Minnesota Wild Correspondent

Facebook: @Josh_Sargent  

Minnesota Wild Vs. Atlanta Thrashers Preview

In a season full of breaking traditions the Minnesota Wild are looking to continue one facing off against the Atlanta Thrashers. The Wild are 6-1-2 lifetime playing against Atlanta and look to add another win to this 4 game road trip when the go into Phillips arena.

            Coming into this game the Thrashers are 6-6-3 with 15 points on the season and currently on a 3 game skid. Atlanta has a 3.00 GG while sitting at the bottom of the league giving up 3.60 GAA. Their power play and penalty killing are complete opposites. While ranking 4^th in the league on the PP at 26.1% they are killing 75.5% of their penalties putting them at 27^th.

            Minnesota on the other hand is 7-4-2 with 16 points and coming off a great road win in Columbus 3-2. The Wild are scoring 2.46 GG and 4^th in the league in goals against at 2.15.  Their power play has been where they have won games ranking 2^nd at 27.1% while 8^th in the league killing 86.4% of their penalties.

            The goalie matchups for the game are looking like Chris Mason for the Thrashers and Niklas Backstrom for the Wild. Mason, after having a rough game against Ottawa where he was pulled after giving up 4 goals on 18 shots and was replaced by Ondrej Pavelec, has a 3.66 GAA and .903 SV%.  Backstom on the other hand is playing lights out with a 1.80 GAA and .941 SV%.  It is easy to say that Backstrom is playing his best hockey and is a big advantage for the Wild.

            This game will feature 3 of the NHL’s biggest defensive talent in Atlanta’s Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, and the Wild’s Brent Burns. Byfuglien and Enstrom have amassed a combined 26 points putting them in the top 3 for the team in total points. Brent Burns has 8 points on the season and had his first multi goal game of his career scoring twice against Columbus. Byfuglien and Burns sit at the top of the board with 5 goals each among the league’s defensemen. Both teams will rely heavily on these players to step up big in this game. While Atlanta’s 2 are more of a scoring threat Burns has been able to shut down the league’s top talent and will look to do so again.

            Although Atlanta has a big scoring threat in Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Tobi Enstrom, and Evander Kane they are not without holes. Evander Kane and Nik Antropov have a combined plus/minus ranking of -21. The Wild will look to exploit this by the play of their second line with the skill of Martin Havlat and the awareness of Matt Cullen.

            Staying out of the box for the Wild and capitalizing on the man advantage will be key for them to win. Atlanta’s power play and the Wild Penalty kill should be a great matchup but one I don’t wish to see. Playing physical Minnesota will look to put their highly rank power play on the ice against the Thrasher 27^th ranked penalty kill.

            My keys to the game for the Wild to win are:

-          Mikko Koivu who has been a solid 2 way player for the Wild so far this season notching a point in 11 out of 13 games. Look for him to be very physical and test the goaltending of the Thrashers.

-          Niklas Backstom will look to continue is quietly amazing season. If Backstrom can keep the Thrashers to 1-2 goals the Wild have a strong chance to come out with a win.

-          Matt Cullen on the power play for the Wild this season has been what this team needs. A strong leader and decisive decision maker his play at point has made the Wild a force on the man advantage.

Game notes: Martin Havlat has only 1 goal on the season which makes him tied now with Derek Boogaard…..ok that might be a small cheap shot. Antti Miettinen seems to have the green light to play but don’t expect him back on the first line, Coach Todd Richards seems to like having Cal Clutterbuck playing with Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu. The Wild have recalled Cody Almond from their AHL affiliate the Houston Aeros. Guillaume Latendresse, Chuck Kobasew, and Marek Zidlicky are reported to be out this game with injuries

5 players making Minnesota Wild early season success.

            NHLHS Minnesota Wild Correspondent Josh Sargent gives you the 5 players that have made this team an early success.

            I get it, it is early in the season but 7-4-2, that is the record of the Minnesota Wild after the first month of the hockey season and 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Most Hockey enthusiasts and fans coming into the season never expected this, yet here it is. Starting the season the Wild were but one thing, inconsistently consistent. Now it looks as if this team has found its ice legs; and are playing as a top team in the Western Conference not just the Northwest Division.  

            Why is this team doing so well? Answer, solid play from key players. Last year was full of change. Players that needed to be on the ice could not due to injury or just not playing up to par in the new system. Year two and familiarity is setting in, players are back, and the team seems to be coming together more. Here are the players I feel are making this team what it is……a possible contender.

            Cal Clutterbuck. I know what you’re thinking, “WHAT! You must be out of your mind; in the last 2 seasons combined he has less than 40 points!” Yes that is true, but the one thing that Cal brings to this team every night without exception is his physical play. There isn’t a player on this team other than him that makes it his personal goal to crush their opponent and throw them off their game. He has led the league in hits the last 2 years with 356 in 08-09 and 318 last season, this year he is already at the top of the list with 62.  Despite being called “Cal Buttercup” by a certain Canadian icon Cal set the record for hits in that 08-09 season. The best play by far was his last game Vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets when he took out 2 of their player with one hit, got to the top of the crease, and scored the game winning goal. His aggressiveness on the ice makes up for what you don’t see on the box score.

            Mikko Koivu. Mikko has matured into one of the top two way players and arguably the best Finn in the NHL right now surpassing his brother Saku Koivu. Before the departure of Marion Gaborik everyone was staying that it was Gabby’s team but on the ice you could see who the player respected and trusted. Last year at the beginning of the Todd Richards era, Koivu was made the first permanent Captain in franchise history. Koivu has continued to improve his game year after year finishing with 71 points last year when the team was down. This year it is not unreasonable to say that he could have up to 80-90 points at the end of this season being that he is already on pace for it. Signing a big deal in the offseason the Wild will have his leadership and playmaking ability to build off of to try and make a run at the cup.

            Matt Cullen. The big offseason acquisition Stanley Cup Champion, Matt Cullen comes back to play Hockey for his home state. At the time of the signing Cullen he said “That it just feels right.”  Coach Richards has used Cullen more than any other player on the Wild. Cullen centers the second line for the team with Martin Havlat and Guillaume Latendresse on his wings. On the power play he is point man at the blue line breaking down the oppositions PK making the team the second most potent team on the power play in the league, and also plays on the teams top ten penalty kill. Although he is not a “big” name that fans were screaming for in the offseason he is what this team needed. Second to only Mikko in points this year with 12, Matt is focused on breaking personal records and helping this team make a solid run at the Cup.

            Brent Burns. In a season last year filled with injury Burns is coming back to what fans have expected and known is there in being a dominate defensive player. Tied for 4^th in points on the team Burns had his first multi goal game playing Columbus where he scored twice on the power play. As much as people put into scoring and player points the best games he has played this year have been against Washington and San Jose. Versus Washington he was able to shut down the high flying Alexander Ovechkin. Throughout the game you could see how frustrated Alex was getting not being able to get by Burns’s long reach and physical play. Playing San Jose he didn’t have just one player to worry about but the top line in the league with Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Danny Heatley. Playing solid defense he was able to help the Wild to a big shutout at home. With a bright future here Brent is a defensive force that teams will have to game plan for every time they face the Wild.

            Niklas Backstrom. Coming into the season the big questions were, “Can he find a way back to his old form and was he just another product of the Jaques Lemaire system?” Well, the main reason why the Wild are where they are can be found between the pipes. Backstrom has been a dominate player in big time situations when the team has been undisciplined and in penalty trouble. With his 1.80 GAA and .941 save percentage Backstrom has been slowly and quietly climbing the ranks of top goalies in the league this year. His play versus the Sharks gave him his first shutout win in 41 home games and first since Coach Richards has taken over. Everyone in hockey knows that a team can excel or die by how the goalie plays and if Niklas can continue to play at top for is it too far out of the question for this team to make a solid run to and in the playoffs.    

            Those are my top players on the team right now and you may think it is way too early to be talking playoffs but in honesty this team needs to be thinking about it every night. They walk a fine line of being really good and really bad. Any kind of early season slip ups will cost this team down the road when it really matters. All 5 of these players can keep the momentum going, if they can set up and motivate the rest of the team it could be a great year if not the front office better reduce ticket prices

Josh Sargent

Twitter: Josh_Sargent 

Wild vs Blue Jackets game 2

            In at season full of breaking tradition first by winning in Edmonton then Shutting out the San Jose Sharks, the Wild were looking to get a win in Nationwide arena. In the last 21 meetings there Minnesota has only put up 4 wins.

            

           Coming into tonight’s game Columbus was 8-4-0 and have a 2.42 average in both GAA and GG. They are converting 12.5% of the time putting them at 25^th in the league on the Power play and are 18^th in the league with an 84.9 PK percentage. Columbus shines on the faceoffs winning 54.4% of them and 3^rd in the league.

            The Wild just finished a 5 game home stand where they were 3-1-1. On the season the Wild are 6-4-2, have a 2.42 GG average while only giving up 2.17 goals per game. Though their power play numbers keep slipping they are still 3^rd best in the league at 25.4% and killing 85.5% of their penalties. The Wild have not given up a PP goal to the Blue Jackets in their last 11 meetings.

            Jose Theodore was my key to this game for the Wild starting his 2^nd game for the team. In his last start he faced an aggressive Vancouver team who put up 5 goals on him. Although giving up 5 goals he played pretty well seeing he didn’t get any help from his teammates.

            The first period ended with the score being tied 1-1, goals coming from Brent Burns (4) assisted by Matt Cullen (9) and Rick Nash got a sick pass from Brassard to tie it up. Brent Burns scored his goal on the power play from a goalie interference call on the Jackets.

            Matt Kassian seems to be looking to make a name for himself in the league, this is the second game where he has come out wanting to fight and got his wish against Jared Boll. Though he will never match or take the place of a Derek Boogaard this team doesn’t have a ton of star power and will need the physical play from lesser named players to be successful.

            In the second period the Jackets came out like they wanted to blow the Wild away. Scoring his 4^th goal of the season Kyle Wilson put the Jackets up 2-1 but the Wild PP was again able to come through when Brent Burns scored his 2^nd of the game and 5^th of the season, assists by Koivu (10) and Havlat (8). With his 2^nd goal of the game it was Brent’s first game with 2 goals and gives Mikko a point in 11 out of the 13 games played.

            Brent Burns will need to continue to be a solid factor for the Wild. He shut down Ovechkin then put up another good night shutting down the top scoring line of the Sharks. His play on defense and offense has been exactly what this Wild team needs and what has made him a fan favorite.

            Coming into the 3^rd period everyone could feel the next goal of the game would be a big one. Cullen had a great chance but was hauled down by Antoine Vermette giving the Wild another great chance on the PP but unable to capitalize. Clutterbuck was called for a boarding call halfway through the 3^rd and the Wild PK was able to come through yet again. Like I said earlier the Wild have never given up a PP goal to the Jackets in 11 games.

            Cal Clutterbuck was able to put the Wild up 3-2 with a big goal after what I thought was a close boarding call. Eric Nystrom got his first point of the season on the assist and Captain Koivu his second of the game and 11^th of the season.

            Pulling off the Win the Wild are 4-1-1 in their last six games and Jose Theodore got his first win as a member of the Wild stopping 35 shots! Cal ClutterBuck had the Game winning goal while the Wild continue to exorcise demons of the past by beating the Jackets on their home ice. Martin Havlat has a 3 game point streak after his assist in the 2^nd period while Andrew Brunettes comes to an end at 4 games.

            The Wild only committed 4 penalties (5 if you count the fight) and killed them all, scored twice on the power play, and were outshot 37-24. With this win the Wild are now tied with Vancouver for the lead in the division with 16 points but Vancouver has yet to play. With almost a full week off the Wild don’t play till Thursday in Atlanta.

            This team has shown fans and critics that they could be a contending team this year by playing solid defense and getting great play out of their 2 goalies. They still need to keep up the physical play throughout the game and rely on their top players to get on the board to continue this streak but I don’t think it is just a fluke. When on their game this is a top team in the West and the only thing that has beaten them in the past has been themselves. Game by game I am becoming more convinced that Todd Richards can get it done with the players he has and the team is stepping up in big game situations. I have said it before but every game for the Wild is BIG if they want to reach the post season this year and can not let up one bit.

Thanks for reading, like always I'm looking for advice on how to make this better so I would really like the feed back. Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Sargent.