Article: Make-or-Break Stretch Coming for Minnesota Wild

[Thomas Williams]

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[Citizen Strife]

Anyone thinking the team is "done" already can stop.  The team will not just give up on its own.  What this stretch should tell us is whether or not the weird parity this season has been on is a mirage or not.

Too many teams are where the Wild are (no mans land).  What I hope for is seeing is some separation happens so the Wild know by the fabled Thanksgiving, "What can we we do and what "should" we do, cause those are different things 

Wins and OT points will work wonders.  The "defeatist" will only happen if all these teams just beat the Wild to a pulp and they get nothing.

 

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Anyone thinking the team is "done" already can stop.  The team will not just give up on its own.  What this stretch should tell us is whether or not the weird parity this season has been on is a mirage or not.

Too many teams are where the Wild are (no mans land).  What I hope for is seeing is some separation happens so the Wild know by the fabled Thanksgiving, "What can we we do and what "should" we do, cause those are different things 

Wins and OT points will work wonders.  The "defeatist" will only happen if all these teams just beat the Wild to a pulp and they get nothing.

 

Wait, so there's a reason they play the games instead of announcing the stanley cup winner less than 25% of the way through the season?

[Scalptrash]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Anyone thinking the team is "done" already can stop.  The team will not just give up on its own.  What this stretch should tell us is whether or not the weird parity this season has been on is a mirage or not.

Too many teams are where the Wild are (no mans land).  What I hope for is seeing is some separation happens so the Wild know by the fabled Thanksgiving, "What can we we do and what "should" we do, cause those are different things 

Wins and OT points will work wonders.  The "defeatist" will only happen if all these teams just beat the Wild to a pulp and they get nothing.

 

The title of this article is accurate. The next two weeks will determine what this season's team is going to be. It's not over by a long shot, but they need to get hot, sooner than later. While a small sample size, thus far, it doesn't look that promising. I personally think the sooner they lean into "we aren't going to win the cup this season", the sooner they can get (all of) the youth in there for some real experience. Then next season, and beyond, will be much more promising.

A new front office and coaching staff is also on my Christmas list. Please Santa!?!

[Citizen Strife]

I looked it up again to be sure.  The top 5 team in the entire league is only four points above the Wild, with Chicago holding 2nd Wild Card two while points ahead....

[Citizen Strife]

Two whole points*

5th place: 22

26th place: 18

PARITY LEAGUE!

[MNCountryLife]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

What this stretch should tell us is whether or not the weird parity this season has been on is a mirage or not.

I would settle for 60 minutes of playing hockey the right way.  

We seem to take off entire periods and our feet look sluggish at times.

[mnfaninnc]

To me, this is a huge comment. If Leo and Guerin are seeing long stretches of periods being taken off, that sounds like a coaching change about to happen.

Last game, the 4th line deserved 2nd line minutes.

Quote

It's the look of a hockey player. NHL players with missing teeth -- why don't they fix them?

This is easy, they are getting dental implants, but why do that unless you retire? They're expensive, and you don't need them. Put in the temps on a turtle and get them fixed when it's over. It will help your next career in broadcasting!

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, MNCountryLife said:

I would settle for 60 minutes of playing hockey the right way.  

We seem to take off entire periods and our feet look sluggish at times.

Indeed. 

During the 'cap hell' era, it was always my hope that the games were competitive, and worth watching.  This season have featured a handful of games so far where it's felt like they were just phoning it in.  

Just because a team loses a hockey game doesnt mean it wasnt a 'fun' game to watch. 

[mnfaninnc]

A couple of rumors to talk about:

Looks like a couple of teams have started circling around Tage. We are not one of them yet. But, if Tage is being listened to, Tuch must also be listened to.

DeBoer is being rumored to replace Burnett. I wouldn't mind bringing Bruno home, but it would piss me off that DeBoer was available and accepted a position with a worse team. I don't love DeBoer, but he may be exactly what our team needs. 

[goenzoy]

7 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

Just because a team loses a hockey game doesnt mean it wasnt a 'fun' game to watch. 

True but if you are a Sabres or Leafs fan waiting for 14 years for playoff and 57+ years for Stanley Cup it gets a bit tiresome 

[Scalptrash]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

I looked it up again to be sure.  The top 5 team in the entire league is only four points above the Wild, with Chicago holding 2nd Wild Card two while points ahead....

Most also have a game in hand. But regardless, the most telling stat of where a team is at, and where they will end up, is the goal differential. Without fail, almost every single time, the teams with a positive differential are in and the negative teams are out. The Wild still have a big hill to climb. You are correct, they are close in points, but that is not the whole story. The good teams keep winning, so the Wild have to be near perfect to gain ground.