Game #32: Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday December 14, 2011 at 7:30pm (CST), Xcel Energy Center [GAME PREVIEW]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tzwfwp6xwIY

I know, I know.  You’re probably all wondering why the heck I used that Discover Card commercial featuring the Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane.  First off, it’s a great commercial.  We’ve all had horrible customer service experiences like this.  As someone who works in customer service, I certainly can feel for those of you who encounter the “Peggy’s” of this world.  I know I get a bit short when I experience poor customer service, especially when I work so very hard to provide the best for my customers.  This just happens to put a humorous spin on it.  It’s also nice to see some of the stars of the NHL have fun with the situation.  Plus, it shows superstars like Kane and Boston’s Tim Thomas deal with their own customer service struggles.  However, the Patrick Kane commercial has taken on additional role.  I’m honestly not sure what game it happened in, but I’m not about to go read through a couple weeks worth of game day threads on the Wild’s message board.  Some of us who are active in those threads have dubbed Pierre-Marc Bouchard as our very own Peggy.  Not because he’d be horrible as a customer service agent, but somehow we see him celebrating a bit like “Peggy” does after Kane explains how he scores on the left side of the ice. 

However, now Wild fans everywhere are concerned about the state of Bouchard’s health now.  Late in Tuesday’s game in Winnipeg, the Jets’ Zach Bogosian hit Bouchard into the boards behind the net.  Bouchard was hit so hard into the dasher that he was bleeding profusely.  Needless to say, Bogosian got the got the five minute major for boarding and the game misconduct.  What blows my mind, is that he wasn’t also awarded the match penalty like Nick Johnson was given on the phantom “head butting” that was called by Calgary’s Jarome Iginla.  I will be even more shocked if Bogosian doesn’t receive supplemental punishment by the league at the hands of Brendan Shanahan.  Clearly Bouchard turned in order to play the puck.  There was no reason for Bogosian to make that dangerous play.  Hopefully, Bouchard only suffered some facial lacerations.  Clearly he will have to be checked for a concussion, as he has sat for a considerable amount of time due to a concussion.  So to our very own “Peggy,” I only hope you can rest up and come back soon.

Looking at Chicago’s individual statistics, I have to admit, I am very scared.  When I was entering the numbers in, I was getting more and more depressed.  While as a Wild fan, I’ve been riding Cloud Nine lately, I am quickly brought back to reality just looking at the numbers.  The thought of a single player having 32 points at this point in the season is mind-boggling to me.  Sure, Mikko Koivu is only five points off that mark, the fact that Jonathan Toews has ten more goals than Koivu is what makes it feels just that much more daunting.  Needless to say, it will be beyond important for the Wild to play the tight Wild hockey that they’ve been playing in recent games.  Yes, goals are important, but they need to have more control than they did in Winnipeg.  The Jets and their fans seemed to control much of the game.  It will be nice for a short pit stop in St. Paul, and hopefully it refreshes them before they head back on the road next week.

Just like Kane’s credit card was maxed out, I hope his Blackhawks are maxed out.  The Wild need a break against such an offensively gifted team like the Blackhawks, plus they need to recharge their confidence after their loss in Winnipeg.  I’m really not sure how tonight will go, and at best I’m apprehensive.

Injury Report:

Minnesota:       Devin Setoguchi (leg) 

Chicago:  None (lucky them)

Copyright © 2011 www.StateofHockeyNews.com – All Rights Reserved – Trademarks used herein are property of their respective owners.