Post Utah Win Musing

[Protec]

I saw Gus get beat clean on exactly the same kinds of chances that earn Fleury multiple comment rips. I think MN has the top tendy pairing in the NHL. Get over it Wally. WPG better hope Hellybuckee don't get hurt. 

Give NoJo credit. He looked like a goofball as usual but it worked for him. If you watch how he picked up the points, it really doesn't get greasier.

Highlight for me was seeing Knudi get a grade A chance. He doesn't get many but what a beauty on the breakaway.

Finally Rossi. This guy is good and has really turned into the player he was in the OHL. If his old-man strength comes in this next Summer, look out! Maybe not as tenacious as Jarvis, powerful as Lundell, or skates as fast as Mercer, but he's getting timely goals. He executes in important moments. 

The Wild look damn good. Wanna see a streaking Faber get a clean one from Rossi or Kaprizov on the rush. He had a few near-misses that woulda become grade A scoring chances last night. 

Tough one for Bjugstad in the SO. He had Gus beat. He's been a good NHL'er and a favorite for me from the North suburbs.(Mr.Hockey)

[Protec]

31 minutes ago, Protec said:

Give NoJo credit. He looked like a goofball as usual but it worked for him. If you watch how he picked up the points, it really doesn't get greasier.

I apologize for the NoJo hate this time, I did miss the fact he made the pass to Rossi late. The vision and pass was very good. Thanks NoJo. Not superstitious here but the early game comment challenge to NoJo I initiated last night preceded a 3pt game. Despite the stick drops and awkward puck-watching, he made an impact which is NOT a non-factorism. 

Reluctantly, nice job NoJo. 🫣

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Highlight for me was seeing Knudi get a grade A chance. He doesn't get many but what a beauty on the breakaway.

Keep it up young fella.  Fitting that this bulldog's first goal included him stealing a puck, then beating a goalie cleanly.  This isn't him picking up some garbage in front of the net, it's 100% hockey play from The Rat.  Let's go!!!  

[Pewterschmidt]

33 minutes ago, Protec said:

I apologize for the NoJo hate this time

No need to apologize, this is a NoJo hate safe space.  We all cope in our own ways.  I've re-directed my hate at the Yak.  Not sure if that's better or worse but it's soothing to me.

 

35 minutes ago, Protec said:

Reluctantly, nice job NoJo.

Let the healing begin *bro hug*

[FredJohnson]

3 hours ago, Protec said:

I saw Gus get beat clean on exactly the same kinds of chances that earn Fleury multiple comment rips.

Yup, I hope it’s a blip. 😳

[Protec]

33 minutes ago, FredJohnson said:

Yup, I hope it’s a blip. 😳

My point was in defense of Fleury or any goalie who faces NHL scorers on grade A chances. Especially Gus, cause he's been great. Keller, Conner, Guentzal, Rienhart, MacKinnon, Hintz, Michkov, or any number of guys are capable of sniping it past the best goalies. I think the Wild got lost in their end a couple times too many last night. Do you like to see the team give up four goals, nah but if you think your goalie can stop every open shot from inside 20' against NHL shooters you're not being realistic. MN has won a lot because they usually limit those chances and have good structure about their game. Merrill & Bogo seemed to get victimized, but the forwards ran-around and got squirrely too. I thought it was a good game. Utah wanted to beat MN at home. I thought that showed. MN played with guts and Ben Jones nearly scored. Shore has been okay but like a 75% version of Duhaime last night. MN has a lot of balance this season. Hartman hasn't been hot but last night's game showed ya that MN has weapons top to bottom. If Fred or Foligno have a good night or if the 4th line gets a grade A, I'm confident, BJ, Knudi, Lauko, or even Trenin could bury the puck more than guys the Wild had previous seasons in their bottom six.

I'm kinda surprised the articles gushing over Guerin that we saw early in his tenure are missing now that his concoction and strategy begins to pay dividends. If you're top team in the league just ahead of Christmas, you gotta be doing something right, right???

Edited 1 hour ago by Protec

[FredJohnson]

3 hours ago, Protec said:

Give NoJo credit. He looked like a goofball as usual but it worked for him. If you watch how he picked up the points, it really doesn't get greasier.

It pains me to give him credit but it is due.

Time to extend MoJo!!

 

[FredJohnson]

2 minutes ago, Protec said:

My point was in defense of Fleury or any goalie who faces NHL scorers on grade A chances.

Yeah, I wasn’t dissing Flower in any way. Just agreeing with you that Gus Bus let in one (popped out of his gear) and a couple his defense hung him out to dry on (power play especially). It happens to every goalie from time to time. I’m happy we won.

[Protec]

I'm honest, so NoJo can have an atta-bois. He should never have another contract in Minnesota.

[FredJohnson]

1 minute ago, Protec said:

I'm honest, so NoJo can have an atta-bois. He should never have another contract in Minnesota.

Are there any semi-pro hockey teams in Mn?? Never say never…

[Protec]

I think last season was tough defensively for MN and both Gus and Fleury had tough games, numbers, etc.

I was defending Fleury a lot last year cause I thought he faced a lot of high-quality chances. Gus wasn't great, but we kinda thought a lot of guys had a tough year. 

Overall, I've though Guerin's goalie plan wasn't bad. There have been plenty of detractors but I think it's nit-picky. The Wild are looking so good MN fans addicted to drama or negativity cannot help but to rip on guy's neck-beards or hockey-heritage.(Euros that is) We kinda don't know what to do when the sky isn't falling. I'm joking around cause we kinda see the same team for the most part playing way better than last season and proving a lot of the junk we complained about last season was just noise. Hopefully this season is much more productive for the Wild's Cup hopes.
😃

Edited 46 minutes ago by Protec

[Enforceror]

I think we got to give some credit to Hynes as well. We look so much more organized this year and I've never seen the team morale this high. Yeah winning helps but we started the season 0-0.