Article: 3 Key Takeaways From Wild's Decisive Game 2 Win Over Vegas

[Thomas Williams]

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[Willy the poor boy]

The Wild's PK didn't have to show up last night!!

[IllicitFive]

Well, I for one, am glad I don't regret staying up for that one, that was a fun game. Kap and Boldy, what more can you ask for, also seeing other players doing their job, Hartman has been playing outstanding, NoJo making some good plays on both ends, Trenin and Braz finally showing why they were brought in, although I would like to see Braz use his size harder in some situations, bring the pain. Lots to like, easy to say after a win.

What I didn't like is that they didn't keep pressing, gave Vegas WAY to many chances to get back into it, a few passes for breakaways just missed for the wild, a few unsettled pucks or whiffed shots that could have added on. Its clear the refs won't be calling much of anything, with the ref watching Kap get punched in the face twice (you can see his reaction on the replay of him watching it happen) and not calling anything, this could get to be a very rough series. Hague is enemy 1, cross check to the face of Hartman, then that bush league shot, hope Trenin, Moose, and the guys get after him and add on Eichel and Stone for good measure. To the Wild's credit, they stayed composed, didn't take dumb penalties to give Vegas a PP, and walked out with a win. Hopefully the Wild keep it up, and keep getting after Vegas in the now best of 5 with home ice advantage.

[Willy the poor boy]

19 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

The Wild's PK didn't have to show up last night!!

I tried to get the puck between the buns but just couldn't figure out how to do it.🤷‍♂️

[Willy the poor boy]

Now the hard part comes... Winning at home...

[Citizen Strife]

I woke up right in time for the third period   What stuck out to me was the first line pretty much getting to the Vegas zone at will.  The other lines weren't as effective, but they employed a decent bend don't break strategy without playing into a run and gun mess.

Defensively, Brodin and Spurgeon keep things going well.  I was a little worried about Buium on the Hertl play.  That is the sort of thing they will exploit over and over if given the chance.  I don't know if Buium's skillset is going to be useful in a low penalty, low event series.  Same with Rossi.  He just isn't fast enough affect play much.

This team will go as far as Line 1 and Gus can take them.

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Citizen Strife

[OldDutchChip]

Best of all - G3 time is set for 8! Also good - Kap is back in the "best-player-in-the-world" form or very very close to that. 

I know Braz has size, but he does NOT use it. He is also slow and unskilled. I think you need to get his ass out of the lineup and maybe insert Vinny for him. You cannot have Trenin and Braz out there on same line - that is a disaster!

And you have to be realistic about Rossi - if he is placed on 4th line - he is a waste. Unlike Harty - who can be placed anywhere in the lineup (Harty played himself out of 4th line....i don't believe Rossi will) - Rossi has to be given a spot with an elite player. BUT right now is not the time for that. We have the skilled players clicking and Rossi is out of luck.

Perhaps he will/should be scratched for Vinny.....which is horrible for both short and long term outlook.....but Vinny will give much more heart/effort than what we are seeing out of Rossi (for whatever reason....)

[hydguy75]

Didn't stay up for the game, but read the box score early this morning.  Shea Theodore is credited for 4 secondary assists for Wild Goals last night. 

[FredJohnson]

11 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

G3 time is set for 8!

Yup, but I won’t be surprised if it’s actually an 8:50-ish puck drop. The prior game has to finish and the empty suits have to spew their nonsense.

[FredJohnson]

14 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

I know Braz has size, but he does NOT use it. He is also slow and unskilled. I think you need to get his ass out of the lineup and maybe insert Vinny for him. You cannot have Trenin and Braz out there on same line

Yup. I’d put Nyquist right behind those guys. I can’t believe we have guys out-sucking NoJo. 😖

[OldDutchChip]

1 minute ago, FredJohnson said:

Yup. I’d put Nyquist right behind those guys. I can’t believe we have guys out-sucking NoJo. 😖

i agree with you freddy 🍻

[MNCountryLife]

50 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

hope Trenin, Moose, and the guys get after him and add on Eichel and Stone for good measure

I get the idea of sticking up for Kirill and our star players.  But Vegas would love a special teams game and I would prefer they stay away from instigating fights and avoid all special teams if they can.  Foligno has been playing some outstanding hockey as well.  Right now I value his play more than his fighting and I hope he stays on the ice.  We need his minutes.

[M_Nels]

32 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

This team will go as far as Line 1 and Gus can take them.

If Hartman and Foglino can keep their play up and the Wild do happen to win the series they'll deserve a ton of credit too. If the 4th line picks up a couple goals to go along with their forecheck then we're really in business.

[IllicitFive]

Just now, MNCountryLife said:

I get the idea of sticking up for Kirill and our star players.  But Vegas would love a special teams game and I would prefer they stay away from instigating fights and avoid all special teams if they can.  Foligno has been playing some outstanding hockey as well.  Right now I value his play more than his fighting and I hope he stays on the ice.  We need his minutes.

Oh I agree fully, I more meant to take clean hard hits to them. Put them on the ice, make the boards rattle. Getting into the box will be the death of the series for the Wild. The person retaliating will almost always be called, which is why I am impressed with how calm and collected the team has been as a whole.

[FredJohnson]

We’re better than the K-nigits at 5 on 5. When we don’t commit penalties (or get bogus ones) we have a dam good shot at winning.

[FredJohnson]

4 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

Foligno has been playing some outstanding hockey as well.

12 hits by Foli! 👍

[Citizen Strife]

The best retaliation is to score, like Kap did at the end.

[IllicitFive]

23 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Best of all - G3 time is set for 8! Also good - Kap is back in the "best-player-in-the-world" form or very very close to that. 

I know Braz has size, but he does NOT use it. He is also slow and unskilled. I think you need to get his ass out of the lineup and maybe insert Vinny for him. You cannot have Trenin and Braz out there on same line - that is a disaster!

And you have to be realistic about Rossi - if he is placed on 4th line - he is a waste. Unlike Harty - who can be placed anywhere in the lineup (Harty played himself out of 4th line....i don't believe Rossi will) - Rossi has to be given a spot with an elite player. BUT right now is not the time for that. We have the skilled players clicking and Rossi is out of luck.

Perhaps he will/should be scratched for Vinny.....which is horrible for both short and long term outlook.....but Vinny will give much more heart/effort than what we are seeing out of Rossi (for whatever reason....)

I know normally we don't agree but you hit is square here. Braz is huge, use it,, lean on guys and wear down those legs. Does Vinnie play center? Or who would fill in, I would like to see him in there for Nyquist. He played better last night but still not enough. Thank the lord for the 8pm start time.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Quote

Added Hynes, “Both teams have been disciplined in the regular season and coming in. You have habits in the regular season over 82 games, and then you get in a highly competitive environment, your penalty discipline is instinctual. There’s not a lot of errant sticks or retaliation or loose sticks or bad penalties. I think the refs have done a good job. I think both teams have been disciplined and haven’t given the refs an opportunity to call a lot. I think that’s probably a hallmark of each team, and I think you can play physical without taking penalties.” -- The Athletic

Wild have done a really good job. Vegas has deserved more penalties than they have been given, but Wild just playing their game.

I think both are good coaches, but it certainly appears that there is some difference between Evason and Hynes for playoff hockey.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

19 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

I would like to see him in there for Nyquist. He played better last night but still not enough.

Nyquist knocked the puck free from Vegas to Hartman on the opportunity that ended up as the Foligno goal. Nyquist isn't lighting the lamp regularly, but he seems to do a lot of little things right. Given that he has been one of their better PK players, I don't see the Wild taking him out of the lineup.

[Patrick]

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

Best of all - G3 time is set for 8! Also good - Kap is back in the "best-player-in-the-world" form or very very close to that. 

I know Braz has size, but he does NOT use it. He is also slow and unskilled. I think you need to get his ass out of the lineup and maybe insert Vinny for him. You cannot have Trenin and Braz out there on same line - that is a disaster!

And you have to be realistic about Rossi - if he is placed on 4th line - he is a waste. Unlike Harty - who can be placed anywhere in the lineup (Harty played himself out of 4th line....i don't believe Rossi will) - Rossi has to be given a spot with an elite player. BUT right now is not the time for that. We have the skilled players clicking and Rossi is out of luck.

Perhaps he will/should be scratched for Vinny.....which is horrible for both short and long term outlook.....but Vinny will give much more heart/effort than what we are seeing out of Rossi (for whatever reason....)

If Rossi is hurt they should put Vinny in the lineup.  If he is not they should flip Gaudreau and Rossi.  I don't understand why we are not running Kap, Ek, and Zucc as our first and Boldy, Rossi, Foligno as our 2nd.  Both of those combos have produced like first lines in the past and I feel like it maximizes both Rossi and Zucc who sadly don't have much to contribute outside of those roles.  And definitely bench Braz he is way too slow.  Sadly, either Lauko or Khuz would be better in his role. 

 

But what do I know, they just won decisively! 😅

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Zero goals have been scored in the series with Rossi or Brazeau on the ice--just 1 against for Trenin. I like Hinostroza, but I suspect they will continue to use the other guys that Guerin brought in as long as they aren't losing the game for the Wild.

Because Eichel is a very good player and Vegas won a Stanley cup not long ago, I don't think there's been a lot of talk about how the top lines matchup. I think if people really gave it thought, many would have to say that Kaprizov, JEE, Boldy might be the better top line, so if they continue to win there and the other lines can play to a draw, the Wild can win games.

Also want to point out that Spurgeon has been on the ice for 4 goals for and zero goals against in this playoff series. He's doing great work out there!

Edited 3 hours ago by Imyourhuckleberry
added Trenin stat

[Willy the poor boy]

18 minutes ago, Patrick said:

If Rossi is hurt they should put Vinny in the lineup.  If he is not they should flip Gaudreau and Rossi.  I don't understand why we are not running Kap, Ek, and Zucc as our first and Boldy, Rossi, Foligno as our 2nd.  Both of those combos have produced like first lines in the past and I feel like it maximizes both Rossi and Zucc who sadly don't have much to contribute outside of those roles.  And definitely bench Braz he is way too slow.  Sadly, either Lauko or Khuz would be better in his role. 

 

But what do I know, they just won decisively! 😅

The Ohgre for Braz...

[OldDutchChip]

8 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Zero goals have been scored in the series with Rossi or Brazeau on the ice--just 1 against for Trenin. I like Hinostroza, but I suspect they will continue to use the other guys that Guerin brought in as long as they aren't losing the game for the Wild.

Because Eichel is a very good player and Vegas won a Stanley cup not long ago, I don't think there's been a lot of talk about how the top lines matchup. I think if people really gave it thought, many would have to say that Kaprizov, JEE, Boldy might be the better top line, so if they continue to win there and the other lines can play to a draw, the Wild can win games.

Also want to point out that Spurgeon has been on the ice for 4 goals for and zero goals against in this playoff series. He's doing great work out there!

Zero goals have been scored in the series with Rossi or Brazeau on the ice--just 1 against for Trenin. 

maybe it's pure luck and lack of time on the ice (thankfully for us!!)?

• Braz is garbage.
• Rossi (injured or whatever the reason is) is also very much a liability right now and playing scared
• Trenin is Trenin. 

It is a dangerous approach to use stats like these in such a short playoff format. they can hide the worrisome signs until it's too late. And the signs are there. 

The only thing i'll agree on is that Braz won't be benched - he is a Guerin guy.

[OldDutchChip]

33 minutes ago, Patrick said:

If Rossi is hurt they should put Vinny in the lineup.  If he is not they should flip Gaudreau and Rossi.  I don't understand why we are not running Kap, Ek, and Zucc as our first and Boldy, Rossi, Foligno as our 2nd.  Both of those combos have produced like first lines in the past and I feel like it maximizes both Rossi and Zucc who sadly don't have much to contribute outside of those roles.  And definitely bench Braz he is way too slow.  Sadly, either Lauko or Khuz would be better in his role. 

 

But what do I know, they just won decisively! 😅

they do need vinny back in. but also to keep Ek , Kap, Boldy together unless they dry up. they are unstoppable right now, so you ride that wave.