Three Things We Learned: Wild Win Streak Ends

The Wild were back in action Sunday night following their 4-2 victory over Calgary Saturday night against the Nashville Predators and former Wild member Mikael Granlund who wrapped up his busy week by making a return back to Xcel Energy Center. This will be the first game of a home back-to-back between these teams as they will face off in Music City Tuesday night. As for the game, the Wild saw their five-game winning streak come to an end following to the Preds 3-2 in the shoot-out. Here’s three takeaways from Sunday night’s contest.

Thing One: Jet legged

Don’t get me wrong, the Wild impressed me on how they started the contest after traveling from Calgary and not getting home to St. Paul until early Sunday morning. The fact that Jarome Ignila’s jersey ceremony went later than expected didn’t help. And with the Wild having a quick turnaround and traveling as much as they did, a key start would be extra important against a team above them in the standings. Things didn’t start well as Nick Bonino put the Preds on the board just 5:21 into the opening frame. It also doesn’t help that Alex Stalock was starting for the first time since February 17th against St. Louis, but a bad bounce in front turned costly for the Wild.

Thing Two: Jason Zucker

Remember when the Wild almost traded Zucker last week? Oh how it’s amazing to look back on what could’ve happened. But thank goodness it didn’t happen because since then, Zucker has been on a tear extending his point streak to five games after giving the Wild a 2-1 lead Sunday night. Also, Zucker now has goals in three of the last four games. Who knows, maybe almost getting traded was a wake-up call for Zucks who needed to step his game up and has done so since last Monday.

Thing Three: Doing Whatever it Takes

On back to back sequences, two separate plays to keep the Wild down just a goal, and would eventually lead to a goal by Eric Fehr. First it was Marcus Foligno after Bitetto lost the puck right at the Wild blue line after being careless with the puck, then it was Nick Seeler again bailing out Bitetto. The one that many will remember is the one of Foligno coming out of no where to block up a Predators 2-on-0. However, both are plays that since the Wild didn't come out victorious can’t go forgotten because without them, the important point secured in the standings would not have been salvaged.