Article: What Will Be the Wild's 'Sling That Slays the Giant' In Vegas?

[Justin Hein]

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[mnfaninnc]

I think the key component here will be secondary scoring for the Wild. If we can get it, we might be ok. If we can't get it, we're in big trouble. This really means that Rossi and Nyquist need big series and Foligno is going to have to score.

[M_Nels]

Great article! Goes without saying the Wild need depth scoring but the lack of production at the blueline the last 1/2 of the season has been somewhat concerning. When the Wild were rolling early on their D was contributing a bunch. 

[Patrick]

The easiest path for the Wild is for Gus to get hot. He has shown elite talent.  A hot goalie with elite talent will break any system.  The Wild should prioritize getting him comfortable and confident and build from there. 

[Enforceror]

Love this style of writing. Analytical, backed up by numbers, examples, etc. 

I have tempered expectations but this is hockey. Anything can happen. When we play focused and energetic, we can beat any team in the league.

[SkolWild73]

3 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Great article! Goes without saying the Wild need depth scoring but the lack of production at the blueline the last 1/2 of the season has been somewhat concerning. When the Wild were rolling early on their D was contributing a bunch. 

I have wondered if the lack of D scoring was in direct relation to a style change without Kap.  It felt like we played less aggressive after that, and more defensive.  Since Kap and Ek came back, our D seems more aggressive on offense.  No stats to back that up, just what if felt like the last couple of games.  I think Faber had like 9 shots on goal against Anaheim.

[OldDutchChip]

great article! 🍻

i'll add a small piece too - having our "grit" players deliver. i am talking about foligno, braz, harty and trenin. they have to play to contact and not target just kobesar and hague. they have to try to wear down vegas skill line. hit stone and eichel and karlsson and hertl and dorofeev. hit clean and hit often. 

wild in 6

[Enforceror]

1 hour ago, SkolWild73 said:

I have wondered if the lack of D scoring was in direct relation to a style change without Kap.  It felt like we played less aggressive after that, and more defensive.  Since Kap and Ek came back, our D seems more aggressive on offense.  No stats to back that up, just what if felt like the last couple of games.  I think Faber had like 9 shots on goal against Anaheim.

I agree with this take. Our top four D were racking points early in the season and the timing seems to match up from what I recollect. Quick comparison of last 20 games vs last 10 games below. It's probably an absurd sample to take and make a basis from but I didn't want to get too in the weeds...

Brodin - 20g/17s 10g/10s

Spurgeon - 20g/20s 10g/17s

Faber 20g/48s 10g/31s

Middleton 20g 27s 10g/10s