By Nathan Eide -
For the enemy perspective, please visit Raw Charge
As I stated on Twitter, it looked like the Lightning were playing on 78 rpm while the Wild were on 33 1/3 (that's a reference to how albums are played on a turntable, ask your parents).
Bryan's take:
This was one I can't imagine too many felt the Wild had much of a chance at. Tampa is a high flying, highly talented team, and the Wild are... well, they're not. Playing four rookies looked to be a major disadvantage, and yet Brent Burns looked to be the worst defenseman on the ice.
Todd Ricahrds, in his post game presser, came as close as he may ever come to calling out a player. He called Burns' play "erratic," and when asked about the rookies, Richards said commented on leaning on the guys with the experience, not directly addressing the play of the rookies, but hinting that the two vets on the line didn't have it tonight.
Tomorrow is Detroit, another call up should come before the Aeros take the ice tonight, and the Wild will go to Detroit to play the mighty Red Wings with a roster full of Houston Aeros. Should be a fun one.
Game notes:
Wild officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss tonight.
Tampa Bay G Dwayne Roloson snapped a personal eight game losing streak in Minnesota (0-6-2). His last win came as a member of the Edmonton Oilers back on Jan. 16, 2007.
Lightning RW Martin St. Louis picked up an assist to extend his point streak to five games (4-2=6).
LW Pierre-Marc Bouchard has recorded points in three straight games (2-1=3).
G Niklas Backstrom lost in regulation to Tampa Bay for the first time in his career and now owns a 4-1-1 mark against the Lightning.
The Wild outshot its opponent for the 12th time this season (3-6-3).
The Wild has allowed three or more goals in each of its past 13 losses.
The Wild's record against Eastern Conference teams fell to 6-10-2. The Wild is one of two Western Conference teams (Edmonton) with a losing record vs. the East. Last year Minnesota went 10-4-4.
Prior to the start of the game, it was announced that D Nick Schultz will be out for the remainder of the season with post-concussion symptoms.
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