Wow, Tuesday already. Here is my Pregame preview of the game. The Vancouver Canucks come to the X without recording a win on the road and an overall record of 2-2-1. Goal Against Average (GAA) is at 2.2 and Goals per game at 2.4. The Canucks give up as many shots as they take per game with 30.4 shots on goal (SOG) and 31.6 shots against and have a 57% win ratio in faceoffs. The Minnesota Wild are giving up and scoring 2.5 goals per game on average, and their shots on goal and shots against is at 29 per game. Just like the Canucks the Wild are around 58% in faceoff wins. Just looking at stats you would think that both of these teams are equally matched, not so. Vancouver is a better team 5-5 and has the ability to score at will with the Sedin twins, while the Wild have only 2 even strength (5-5) goals. So what the Wild lack in even strength play they make up for on the power play. Coming into this game the Wild are #1 in the NHL with an amazing 38.1% on the power play. The Wild will look to throw the Canucks off their game and get them into the box but if they don't bite it could be a long night for the Wild.
Although this is not the same Vancouver team that Minnesota fans love to hate, it is still a division rivalry game that both teams can not look past. The Wild need to be able to continuously play physical for all 60 minutes and throw the Canucks off their game. If they dot that they have a good chance and getting the win. But the main key factor will be shutting down the Sedin twins. Both Henrik and Daniel lead the team with 7 points a piece but shutting them down is easier said then done. The one thing that the Wild have going for them is that they are playing at home where they took 2-3 from the Canucks last year at the X.
One of the X- factors for this game is Martin Havlat. With only 4 games in the books for the Wild Havlat has only 3 points, 2 of which came in the game vs the Blue Jackets. The Wild will need his scoring and play making ability to be a big factor in this game. Captain Koivu needs to be the force that drives this team. His line with fellow Finn Antti Miettinen and crafty Vet Andrew Brunette needs to play like the top line and put a goal on the board every game. Cal Clutterbuck is another player that needs to be a factor in this game. His physical ability to be more or less a human cannon ball is exactly what could throw the Canucks from their game. Punishing players and forcing them to make quick decisions could lead to bad turn overs by Vancouver and quality scoring opportunities for the Wild. The biggest factor will be the power play. Matt Cullen on point for the power play has been the best thing this team has. Great at reading plays and getting the puck to the open man Cullen will need to continue the dominance this team has had on the man advantage.
If the Wild are able to get a couple of the previous mentioned accomplished they should walk away with a win. If they are not able to then they could be looking at another hard practice and a very upset fan base. Check back after the game for the post game wrap up.
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