Kaprizov Leads Wild To Win Over Sharks

Wild have had a schedule that is somewhere middle of the pack in difficulty so far and are 3rd in the league for points percentage, behind Winnipeg and Carolina.

While I don't think the Wild will continue at a 76.9% points percentage pace(126 standings points over a full season) for several months, even if they dropped to .625 for the rest of the year, they could finish above 105 points in the standings. They've given themselves a little padding in case of a rough patch.

Unlike the 2 prior years, zero teams finished with a points percentage above .700 last season, and we should expect results to lower a bit for the Wild over the course of a full year. If the Wild are able to obtain 67.5% of available points the rest of the way, however, that would put them around 113 on the year, which was right around the top of each conference last season.

Obviously the Wild are playing great, and I'd love to see them hit 120, but they would have to obtain over 70% of available standings points just to finish above 116(besting the franchise record of 113 set in 21-22), and that seems like somewhat of a stretch even though things are going really well so far.

It's a very promising start and I imagine they'll be more capable of sustaining a record at or near 70% of standing points(115 over a full season) once they add talent for next season, but I won't be shocked if they cool slightly this year are finish more in the 106-111 range. That would be 2nd best in their history and likely put them anywhere from 2nd-5th in the conference.

Now the Wild have a lead against the Ducks and the veterans have decided to score the goals while Kaprizov is going through a goal drought. Maybe he can score a few yet before it's over tonight to regain his pace?  

Oh nevermind, he literally did just that. Two more to go for the hatty.

8 minutes ago, Protec said:

Now the Wild have a lead against the Ducks and the veterans have decided to score the goals while Kaprizov is going through a goal drought. Maybe he can score a few yet before it's over tonight to regain his pace?  

 

I love games like this (so far). Three goals, eight total points, and no player with more than one point.  Spread the wealth, boys.

Looking at WPG or Carolina's goal differential, it's good for MN to get back into a rhythm putting the puck in the net. Yes, the points and record matter most right now but that is an important indicator. 

Big game against Dallas coming up and LA took the Wild to the woodshed the other night. Just warmer, fuzzier feelings when they're pounding the weak teams and putting up impressive numbers. 

Hopefully the PP can find the chemistry again and the PK, well let's hope the Wild don't get sloppy taking minors. 

Interesting 

Marat with Zuccy and Kap

6 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Interesting 

Marat with Zuccy and Kap

Russo saying Rossi demoted to 4th line for few shifts

 I see you Khuz 

6 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Russo saying Rossi demoted to 4th line for few shifts

 I see you Khuz 

Hoping they give him (Marat) 3rd period to show up

My eye test sees Zuccarello looking a bit slow against the Ducks after looking very spry against the Sharks. Ducks game went out of hand, would it maybe be a decent idea to rest Zuccarello in games like this in b2b situations? 

Also of note, against the Ducks, Spurgeon got hit hard in the corner a couple of times. Let's see how he responds against Chicago.

I was surprised that the Wild started Fleury against the Sharks, which puts him in line for @Chicago. Is this another ceremony game? 

I thought Goose looked better against the Ducks with a little extra time off. Maybe he's not cut out for 55-60 games and would thrive more in the low 40s?