Article: Can the Wild Finally Sustain A Hot November?

[Chris Schad]

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[Oliver It]

I predict that if the Wild continue to score the first goal AND shut out their opponents, they will do well.

[Dis-allowed display name]

39 minutes ago, Oliver It said:

I predict that if the Wild continue to score the first goal AND shut out their opponents, they will do well.

For the first time in the Wild's history, I actually think that if they make the playoffs, even with the anemic offense, they could go on a run on goalie play alone.  I am starting to think Jesper could be a dominant goalie for years and all the hype is real.  The kid is just smooth.

But sometimes I think COVID shots are made from Bigfoot DNA so I could be wrong.

 

Edited December 3 by Dis-allowed display name

[Aimlessone]

1 hour ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

But sometimes I think COVID shots are made from Bigfoot DNA so I could be wrong.

 

Wait...I thought this was a fact?

[mnfaninnc]

Right now, the Wild are just gutting out victories. This will build confidence, and when everyone gets healthy, we should really be rolling!

[Scalptrash]

Nope. 'The Minnesota Wild...making the worst teams in the league look like cup contenders since 2000.'

[raithis]

3 hours ago, Scalptrash said:

Nope. 'The Minnesota Wild...making the worst teams in the league look like cup contenders since 2000.'

Playoff teams do this every year.  Many lose winnable games to bad teams, sometimes even lopsidedly so.  Even Dallas lost recently to Calgary.  You could make this statement every year about most (if not all) teams.

I agree they played poorly and need to do better, though I chalk up a lot of that to Tarasenko's return and Yurov being out.  The Wild were able to overcome injuries, but Tarasenko's presence seems to disrupt the chemistry of the team, and Yurov's absence seems to have an effect as well, especially with Rossi out and Hartman mostly being a non-factor.  Not that Yurov (or Ek) have been putting points on the board, but they play well defensively and are good positionally in ways that Hartman just isn't.

[MNCountryLife]

7 minutes ago, raithis said:

but Tarasenko's presence seems to disrupt the chemistry of the team, and Yurov's absence seems to have an effect as well, especially with Rossi out and Hartman mostly being a non-factor.  Not that Yurov (or Ek) have been putting points on the board, but they play well defensively and are good positionally in ways that Hartman just isn't.

Spot on!

I haven't been able to figure it out.  But when Tarasenko is on the ice that line seems to really struggle.  He just doesn't gel.  

Yurov stepped up and provided 200 foot stability to the top line.  Neither Rossi or Hartman have been able to do that.  Ek provides it.. but with Ek on line 1 line 2 suffers immensely.  

When Zuc returned the talent on the team seemed to align itself as certain players were able to slide down the roster and fit in their proper slot.  Losing Yurov seems to have reversed that effect.

[MNCountryLife]

Hartman is another player that I just can't seem to figure out.  He has a great imagination with the puck and seems to see things others don't.  He puts himself in harms way to sacrifice for the team and is willing to engage and compete for pucks.  The guy has top 6 skill....everything you want in a player.

Yet his history makes it easy for refs to call penalties on him.  He fell last night right in front of our own net and looked completely lost.  While I wouldn't label the goal as his fault he certainly wasn't helping either.  I just can't figure out why a player like him goes through dry spells or just seems lost in no man's land (for lack of a better way to say it) on occassion.  Why?

[MNCountryLife]

Sounds like Yurov and Rossi both have a pretty good chance at being back by Monday's game. 🍻

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, raithis said:

Playoff teams do this every year.  Many lose winnable games to bad teams, sometimes even lopsidedly so.  Even Dallas lost recently to Calgary.  You could make this statement every year about most (if not all) teams.

I agree they played poorly and need to do better, though I chalk up a lot of that to Tarasenko's return and Yurov being out.  The Wild were able to overcome injuries, but Tarasenko's presence seems to disrupt the chemistry of the team, and Yurov's absence seems to have an effect as well, especially with Rossi out and Hartman mostly being a non-factor.  Not that Yurov (or Ek) have been putting points on the board, but they play well defensively and are good positionally in ways that Hartman just isn't.

I don't have evidence but I think Hartman is playing banged up. He has left the ice in pain several games in a row.

[Up North Guy]

54 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

Sounds like Yurov and Rossi both have a pretty good chance at being back by Monday's game. 🍻

That would be great but I thought Rossi was still a ways off.

[MNCountryLife]

26 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

That would be great but I thought Rossi was still a ways off.

From what I read Rossi is skating with Andy Ness.  He didn't make the trip and won't join them.  The article I was reading suggested he would be back on Monday.  Apparently Hynes said there was a set back yesterday and he is listed as at least 3 more games being out.  That puts his return next Saturday Dec 13th.  I doubt they would play him back to back nights returning from an injury.  

Yurov sounds much more likely.

[Beast]

Looks like we’re finding the answer to that question is no, with multiple consecutive losses to dregs of the NHL.