Gamethread: Wild @ Maple Leafs (6:00 p.m.)

Last season the Wild were best 5v5. Games with a ton of penalties and special teams wasn't good for MN.

1 minute ago, Protec said:

Last season the Wild were best 5v5. Games with a ton of penalties and special teams wasn't good for MN.

Two seasons ago. Last season Wild only out-scored 144-138 at 5-on-5. Second in defense, but couldn't score. 

KK missed another one. This game is pretty wide open so far. 

Soooo close Kaprizov!

Not sure if you want 2:30 shifts tonight.

Last few years the Wild have had minor penalty issues. That and face-offs would be something you would think they could improve?😬

Great shift from the 4th line there. 

Solid shift from the 4th line!

I thought Merrill got hoes too.  Loved watching Maroon in offensive zone last shift.

Damn Rossi was SO close!! No Freddy on the bench, no bueno. 

I'll maintain until I die that Rossi had the skill and smarts to succeed in the right situation last year, but he absolutely looks faster than he did last year.

FFS you can’t let a guy walk out front like that especially with 26secs left. Mids & Goose got caught flat footed. 

Buhhhh x3

4 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

Two seasons ago. Last season Wild only out-scored 144-138 at 5-on-5. Second in defense, but couldn't score. 

That's interesting. It seemed like they lost games that were filled with lots of extra curricular stuff. Won games that were more rhythm 5v5.

If I recall, the Wild have been one of the more heavily penalized teams in recent years. Hartman, and Foligno, at times Greenway was taking dumb minors at bad times too. Teams like Dallas or Toronto with good power play aren't teams you wanna take penalties against.

Middleton last year...

With Spurgeon: 54.66 xGF%
With Dumba/Addison/Goligoski: 36.3 xGF%

Might be time to wonder how good Middleton is.

First goal looks like Hartman lost his guy puck watching.

Second one off a skate, but 4-3 PP isn't a good situation to get into.

Late goal against in the final minute is always a morale-killer.

Brocky Wilderness unreal tonight. That drive + that beautiful stretch pass to spring Rossi for a breakaway.

10 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

I'll maintain until I die that Rossi had the skill and smarts to succeed in the right situation last year, but he absolutely looks faster than he did last year.

He's in the exact situation as last year, playing w Foligno. He was too slow and not physically engaged at all last year. That's on him, not the situation. Good for him to realize his shortcomings and stay here over the summer to improve. 

I think the difference is: I think he would've succeeded with Kaprizov last year. I think he can find success this year regardless, though, god, get this kid in a top six role asap.

Wild gotta get the next one, still in a decent spot for now. Had their chances, if KK buries one of his grade A’s it’s a different ballgame. Gotta keep getting pucks on net. 

I don't think it's a good idea to have Kaprizov on a line where he's the biggest and most physical player on the line. They'll get crushed and give up more goals than they score. 

Huge kill early in the period. Gotta have this one, can’t let this game get out of reach. 

Another PK...

He's already on a line where that's basically the case? Rossi's like Kaprizov in that he plays bigger than his height. Not a hitter, but strong. 

Alex is over his Goligoskis tonight.