Well hello again, Wild fans! Welcome to Your Name Is Wild: Week #14!
For those of you who are new to the column, here's the scoop: The NHL season is a long, tedious journey. We decided that this season we would ask TCDroogsma of the blog Wildly Biased to stop by each week and give us an update on our local squad.
Droogsy, what'd we miss?
Welcome to 2014, hockey fans! Thanks for stopping by.
One of the most tried-and-true theories in hockey is that the teams that occupy playoff spaces when the calendar turns over are the teams that find themselves playing postseason hockey. As Wild fans, we have to hope that's not the case, as our beloved Wild headed into 2014 in 9th place and spiraling.
It should be noted that Wild fans have reason to be skeptical of that old adage. It was just two seasons ago that the Wild found themselves in first place overall heading into December. That team became the first team to ever lead the league in December and end up missing the playoffs. Obviously, the Wild disproved the old theory in the least desirable way, but they did prove that it can be done. The way things have been going, that counts as a ray of hope.
When we left off the Wild had just coughed up a three-goal lead to the Islanders on home ice and head coach Mike Yeo was hanging onto his job by its last thread. Let's break down the week.
The Week That Was
Tuesday 12/31 - St. Louis: 2 Wild: 1
Heading into this New Year's Eve showdown much of the buzz surrounding the team was whether or not Mike Yeo would make it to gametime. He did, which essentially assured that he'd have the head coaching job at least through the week. Why? Because nobody in their right mind thought the Wild would be able to beat this Blues team.
Turned out everybody was right. The score may make this game seem like it was competitive, but trust me, it was not. Ken Hitchcock has his Blues playing at such a high level that despite the absence of leading goal scorer Thomas Steen and captain David Backes, the Blues rolled into St. Paul and took the game with business-like efficiency.
The Wild managed to hold their own during the first period, outshooting the Blues 9-7, but the second period would be their undoing. Blues forward (and Minnesota native) TJ Oshie opened the scoring with a wrist shot 6:49 into the period. That was followed by a Blues 3-2 rush that ended with Jaden Schwartz firing a shot that, while partially stopped by Harding, trickled into the net. That was all the Blues needed.
(Quick Minnesota sidenote: In the Wild's previous two games they had been scored on by Blake Wheeler in Winnipeg and Kyle Okposo of the Islanders in St. Paul. Oshie's goal made him the third former Gopher to score on the Wild in three games. The State Of Hockey's a harsh mistress.)
While the Wild did manage to outshoot the Blues again in the third, it was largely a product of the Blues abandoning offense to lock down their end of the ice. With goaltender Brian Elliott in fine form the Blues did just that. When Ryan Suter scored with just 9 seconds left, it ruined Elliott's shutout, but was ultimately the last desperate punch of a team about to be TKO'd. 2013 would go out with a whimper.
Wild Player Of The Game: Josh Harding - I'm giving Harding WPOTG honors retroactively. After struggling in the loss to the Islanders Harding played well in this one, stopping 21 of 23 shots. Unfortunately, this would turn out to be the last game Harding plays for a while as he was scratched from the next two (and counting) with what the team is calling "illness," but everybody knows is struggles with his new MS medications (an issue that cost him nearly all of last season).
Impression Of The Game: The Wild got soundly beaten by the Blues. This isn't news. In fact, it was so expected that nobody even brought up Mike Yeo's tenuous job status afterward because nobody had any expectations of victory coming into the game. On to 2014...
Thursday 1/2 - Wild: 4 Buffalo: 1
Much to the relief of Wild fans everywhere, the turning of the calendar to 2014 brought with it a chance to start fresh. Enter the Buffalo Sabres. The way the Wild has plummeted down the standings lately, facing off against the worst team in the NHL on home ice turned out to be just what the doctor ordered.
The Wild started this one off slowly, playing the Sabres to a scoreless first period that had the Wild faithful worried in their seats. Fortunately, the Wild righted the ship with a three goal second period.
Perhaps it was frustration with the Wild's inability to score (or perhaps it was just a sign of how much his game has developed), but defenseman Marco Scandella looked like a force in scoring the Wild's first goal. As Justin Fontaine dumped the puck to Matt Cooke, Scandella took off for the net like a man possessed, received a feed from Cooke, and promptly buried the puck over Ryan Miller's shoulder. It was the kind of goal Wild fans have been envisioning from Scandella for years.
From that point on the Wild didn't look back. Jason Pominville buried his 18th of the year. Fan favorite Jason Zucker finally buried his first of the year, and the Wild controlled the period to the tune of 15-5 shots.
The third period found the Wild trying to keep pushing the pace as they went for the jugular. They didn't get another goal, but managed to outshoot the Sabres yet again. Tyler Myers eventually spoiled Niklas Backstrom's shutout, but it was of no consequence. The highlight of the game came with just 36 seconds left, as Kyle Brodziak broke free from the pack to cash an empty-netter. He was tripped up by a Buffalo Sabre and awarded the goal despite never shooting the puck in the net (causing most of Twitter to demand that Brodziak take a penalty shot against the empty net. Nothing on Earth is less certain than Kyle Brodziak hitting the net).
Wild Player Of The Game: Marco Scandella - I already said all I have to say about his goal up above, but Scandella's development this season has been a very encouraging sign (especially considering the Wild would lose Jared Spurgeon to a foot injury during the game). Wild fans have been waiting years for Superstorm Scandy to become the d-man we envisioned. Games like this show that he's finally tapped into all of his tools.
Impression Of The Game: Much like nobody overreacted when the Wild lost to the Blues, nobody thought the Wild had cured their ills by beating the Sabres. Yes, getting two points is always big, but kicking the shit out of Buffalo is nothing to celebrate. I've always liked the Sabres, and I wish them all the best in the future, but the team they are icing right now is complete garbage. They may not win 10 more games the rest of the year.
News: On Friday, 1/3 the Wild placed Zenon Konopka on waivers. The move came as a surprise to most of the fanbase as well as Konopka (who was celebrating his birthday). The move would save the Wild about 500K against the salary cap, but also rob them of a bit of toughness and a great faceoff man. Crucially, by waiving Konopka GM Chuck Fletcher was saying, "We're totally cool with the depth we have at center right now," words which have never, ever, EVER been uttered by a Minnesota Wild GM, coach, fan, or player.
Konopka was snapped up off waivers by these same Buffalo Sabres. It was bittersweet for Wild fans, but solace could be found in the fact that Konopka was born just outside of Buffalo and was heading home to play for the team he grew up cheering for. Best of luck, Zenon!
Saturday 1/4 - Wild: 5 Washington: 3
Heading into this game the Wild had done little to answer the questions that surrounded the team entering the week. Everybody expected the team to be dominated by the Blues (they were) and to beat up on the Sabres (they did). That would have been the outcome no matter who was coaching this squad.
Saturday, however, provided an intriguing contest. The Capitals are in much the same position as the Wild this season (i.e. they look great on paper, and even in stretches of games, but ultimately are underachieving). The Caps boast plenty of talent up from in Alexander Ovechkin & the good Nicklas Backstrom, on defense with Mike Green and up-and-comers John Carlson & Karl Alzner, and are pretty solid in net with heartthrob Braden Holtby. Still, they entered the game middling despite playing in the terrible Metropolitan Division. With a two-game road trip looming, the outcome of this one could potentially alter the course of the Wild's season.
With all of that as a backdrop, the Wild came out and got absolutely destroyed in the first period. They gave up a goal to Marcus Johannson 12:02 into the game and then allowed Mike Green to score a highlight reel goal just 13 seconds later. In the midst of all of this the Wild managed just one (!) shot on goal during the period. They were booed off the ice as Wild fans feared the worst.
But then the Wild undertook the craziest 20 minutes of hockey they've played all season. Fired up by coach Mike Yeo during intermission, the Wild came out playing like they were trying to save his job. Nino Niederreiter got the Wild on the board when Charlie Coyle absolutely owned the forecheck and hit him in the slot. The Wild then took the lead on consecutive power play goals by Ryan Suter (neither of which would have happened without the beastly effort of Dany Heatley screening in front of the net).
Just as quickly as the Wild took control of the game, however, they handed it right back. Mike Green dumped the puck into the Wild zone. It bounced off the end boards toward goaltender Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom misplayed the puck, redirecting with his skates between his own legs and back into the goal. Tie game. For a team that hasn't been getting the bounces lately, this seemed like the cherry on top.
However, the Wild stuck to their guns. With Mikhail Grabovski in the box for delay of game Jason Zucker netted the power play goal, tucking a bouncing puck behind Holtby and restoring the lead for the Wild. It was Zucker's second goal of the season and second in as many nights. The Wild ended the period clinging to a one-goal lead.
The highlight of the night came in the third period. Ryan Suter was called for a tripping minor while battling with Eric Fehr. Replays clearly showed that Fehr had fallen on his own volition. Suter would have the last laugh howerver. With his penalty expired, Suter stepped out of the penalty box just as fellow defenseman Clayton Stoner was carrying puck out of the Wild zone. The two quickly engaged in always rare defenseman/defenseman two-on-one. Stoner fed the puck across to Suter, who promptly buried the puck for his first career hat trick. Hats rained down from the Xcel Center as Wild fans indulged in their first genuine celebration in weeks. They held on for the 5-3 victory.
Player Of The Game: Ryan Suter - Any time a defenseman nets a hat trick he takes home the trophy, plain and simple. Not only did Suter net three goals, but he did it while playing 31 minutes against Alexander Ovechkin. Just give him the Norris Trophy now.
Impression Of The Game: This was a big victory for the boys. Not only did they beat a comparable team, but they did so despite pissing away two goals and one period. If nothing else this was a reminder that this squad has the personnel on hand to turn this thing around. The way Mike Yeo got these guys fired up during the first intermission, it's possible that they have the right coach on hand too.
News: Terrible, terrible news the day after this Wild victory. Josh Harding was placed on IR due to complications with his medication, a tough blow for a goaltending group that's barely holding on.
Second, and much more important, it was announced that Mikko Koivu broke his foot during the game and would be out for the next month. As those of us who have followed the Wild for years know, Wild seasons usually go off the rails when Koivu suffers his annual injury. Throw in the fact that the Wild's forward corps is already missing Zach Parise and this injury suddenly seems terrifying.
With Koivu going down (which, again, happens every season), it sure would be nice if the Wild had some depth at center to help them get through the next month. Maybe a veteran who was good in the circles and responsible in his own end. I mean, that would be a much better situation than relying on rookie Eric Haula right? Or depending on Kyle Brodziak to somehow elevate his game?
Ugh...
The Week Ahead
Tuesday 1/7 - Wild at Los Angeles
The Wild head to L.A. to face a Kings team that has had their number for years. They do so without Josh Harding, Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, or Jared Spurgeon. The Wild is in desperate need of points, but I wouldn't bet on them getting any at Staples Center.
Thursday 1/9 - Wild at Phoenix
The Wild head to Phoenix for a game against a team that they have been battling (and will continue to battle) for one of the Western Conference's Wild Card playoff spots. Yet again Dave Tippett has his Yotes playing well above expectations. Keith Yandle's recent snub from the USA Olympic team (and the boost goalie Mike Smith received from being added to the Canadian team) could give these Yotes a dangerous boost of both confidence and anger. Scary.
Saturday 1/11 - Colorado at Wild
The Wild celebrate Binary Day by welcoming the Avalanche to St. Paul. Frankly, when I wrote that last sentence I initially typed "another team they'll be battling for a playoff spot," but after the way the last two weeks have played out, that would just be delusional. The Wild have stolen points from the Avs twice already this season, but have been given fits by youngsters Nathan McKinnon & Gabriel Landeskog.
Sunday 1/12 - Wild at Nashville
The Wild head to Nashville on Sunday to face the Preds under the worst possible circumstances. Typically, the Wild and Nashville play strange, strange games regardless of the talent on hand or their place in the standings (their first game featured former Wild Eric Nystrom injuring Niklas Backstrom before scoring a penalty shot goal on Josh Harding). This game will find the Wild playing their second game of back-to-back nights, flying from St. Paul to Nashville, icing a depleted lineup, and possibly trying to adjust to a new coach.
The Big Picture
The Wild managed to take four out of six points this week, which seems encouraging until you look at the standings and see that they need to take four out of every six points just to keep pace with the rest of the Western Conference.
Like I wrote above, Mikko Koivu's annual injury has sunk many, many Wild seasons. Between their place in the standings, the way they've been playing lately, the aforementioned "Calendar Flip" rule, and the other injuries they're dealing with, it sure looks like this next month will be the death of the 2013-2014 season.
It should be noted, I'm typically among the most skeptical of Wild fans (though, in my defense, they made me this way). Obviously the second week of January is awfully early to be writing this season's obituary. However, given the circumstances, it is going to take a Herculean effort from the players who are healthy to keep this ship afloat until the Olympic break in mid-Febraury.
Of course, I'll be here on Newest Industry watching the whole thing from a safe distance.
Until next week...
For more of TCDroogsma's hockey ramblings be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@WildlyBiased). He can also be found writing about the Wild in greater detail on his hockey blog Wildly Biased.
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