Minnesota Wild (6-5-1) 13pts (3rd in the Northwest)
2.22 Goals For per Game (25th in the NHL)
2.67 Goals Against per Game (16th in the NHL)
21st ranked Power Play (15.2%)
12th ranked Penalty Kill (82.8%)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #11 Zach Parise ~ 6G 4A = 10pts
2. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 2G 6A = 8pts
3. #15 Dany Heatley ~ 4G 2A = 6pts
4. #77 Tom Gilbert ~ 2G 4A = 6pts
5. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 0G 4A = 4pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #28 Zenon Konopka ~ 14 PIM's
2. #27 Mike Rupp ~ 12 PIM's
3. #4 Clayton Stoner ~ 9 PIM's
Top Goaltender(s):
1. #32 Niklas Backstrom (3-3-1) 2.45GAA .919%SP
2. #37 Josh Harding (1-1-0) 3.39GAA .873%SP 1 SO
Vs.
Vancouver Canucks (5-2-2) 12pts (1st in the Northwest)
2.44 Goals For per Game (18th in the NHL)
2.22 Goals Against per Game (7th in the NHL)
20th ranked Power Play (15.6%)
20th ranked Penalty Kill (76.9%)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #23 Alexander Edler ~ 3G 4A = 7pts
2. #22 Daniel Sedin ~ 2G 5A = 7pts
3. #9 Zack Kassian ~ 5G 1A = 6pts
4. #33 Henrik Sedin ~ 0G 6A = 6pts
5. #2 Dan Hamhuis ~ 1G 4A = 5pts
Top 3 PIM's:
1. #3 Kevin Bieksa ~ 18 PIM's
2. #15 Aaron Volpatti ~ 18 PIM's
3. #9 Zack Kassian ~ 12 PIM's
Top Goaltender(s):
1. #1 Roberto Luongo (3-0-2) 1.53GAA .940%SP 1 SO
2. #35 Corey Schneider (2-2-0) 3.13GAA .897%SP 1 SO
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There was a small window earlier in this season where I was excited for tonight's game. Okay, so not really a window, but more like the security peephole in a hotel room door. The first few games this season when things seemed to be going right, I thought we stood more of a chance for the season in general and against the Canucks specifically. Now, I'm not so sure. If you're honest with the situation, it feels like we've reverted back to the Wild we've always known. The low scoring team that the league likes to make fun of, accuse of ruining the game (even though Jacques Lemaire is no longer running the bench). But now the problems seem compounded, because the mistakes the team makes, allows goals. And until the vastly improved roster we have figures out how to prevent the opposition from scoring, the lack of goals will cause even greater problems.
And now the Canucks have finally realized that putting Roberto Luongo in goal when in St. Paul is a bad idea. It's taken them a few years, but I guess as the old saying goes, you learn from your mistakes. In this short season, they realize the importance of the points, and can't afford the possibility that they'd miss out on two points. So a struggling Wild offense will have to face Corey Schneider. Yet, I don't want to be all doom and gloom. Last game against Phoenix, we saw some changes in the lines that made a difference. Now they didn't ultimately garner a victory, but they did put a little jump in the team. And tonight, we're going to see even more changes, and maybe, just maybe they'll help even more. The biggest change, is that head coach Mike Yeo has pulled Dany Heatley from the first line. In his place, will be Charlie Coyle who made his Wild debut just Monday. Another big change, is that top Wild prospect Mikael Granlund who has struggled in his rookie season, will be hanging out in the press box tonight. Considering injuries that Wild players have received after playing the Canucks, it's a good idea. But there's also speculation (and hope) that Granlund will soon be sent back to Houston and Jason Zucker will be brought up in his place. Also making his debut tonight will be Mike Rupp who Minnesota acquired in a trade for Darroll Powe and Nick Palmeiri. In a video on the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Rupp intends on "playing big" for the team. Well I for one can say, we need someone who is willing to take that role, but more importantly, do it well. Rupp will be joining Devin Setoguchi and Zenon Konopka on the fourth line.
Watch for poor ice quality tonight. Last night, Xcel Energy Center was host to Lady Gaga, which means the place was packed. The heat of the masses will most likely effect the ice. And if you saw the reviews of last night's concert in the Star Tribune, it seems that Lady Gaga's show was not as impressive and energetic as she's been known to be. Hopefully, the Wild don't take a page from some pop star / side show act. The hometown fans deserve a good showing by their team.
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