Wilderness Walk: Just Keep Winning

Another solid game from up and down the roster.  Do I dare say that NoJo may be earning back the more positive moniker of MoJo.   The last few games he has played respectable hockey.   I labeled him an "Underachiever" a few weeks back and I still say it fits when you consider his play for the entire year.... but I have to acknowledge that he is definitely playing better recently.  I hope he keeps it up.  The guy can play when he wants to.  He has the skill.

3 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

Do I dare say that NoJo may be earning back the more positive moniker of MoJo. 

I'd have to believe that Johansson is fairly streaky. To me, when the guy has confidence, he is a step faster and making plays. But the long stretches of nothing tends to come from a lack of confidence. 

That 1st goal really ignited him, and you can just see it from his body language. It's nice to get him going again, however, if anyone expects a ppg player from a $2m contracted player, outside of a bridge deal, they're greatly mistaken.

It was nice not having to be the team that traveled for this game, since they get to come in the day of. While the game was sloppy, especially in the 1st period, boy those green jerseys look great!

We also got some very nice secondary scoring going. It's tough chasing teams down, it seems like you only gain on them about every 4 games. Well, looking at the actual points, there are some teams who should be reading the print on the mirror: "objects are closer than they appear."

Out of the Ducks, Sharks, Blackhawks, the 3 teams who have fallen out of contention already, we've played them 1 combined game. When looking at the Eastern Conference teams, there are several upper teams we've played twice, so we're dunnzo with them. This has got to give us an advantage.

19 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I'd have to believe that Johansson is fairly streaky. To me, when the guy has confidence, he is a step faster and making plays. But the long stretches of nothing tends to come from a lack of confidence. 

Confidence?  Maybe... but that isn't what I see holding him back.  Two negative things about NoJo's game when he doesn't play well. 

1.  I see a player turning his head to watch the puck... then reacting.  Causing him to be 2nd to the puck at every 50/50 chance.  

2.  He takes the easy road rather than being aggressive and taking ice that is not freely given.

For me... this is lazy hockey.  Yesterday I watched MoJo beat the D to the puck in our zone and aggressively pushed his way past along the boards springing himself into the neutral zone.  It was aggressive... and a great play.  He was taking ice and space away from Detroit with aggressive in your face hockey.  He wasn't lazy and taking the easy way out.  

If he falls back into that lazy way... I wouldn't hesitate to sit him.  Because when he is bad... he is really really bad.

The "what have you done for me lately" effect goin for Mojo right now.

Last night was looking good for a minute before WPG went to OT and ARI pulled out a W. The Wild gained on NSH, DAL, and COL. 

If the Wild can win head to head in the Central their position could improve quite nicely. 

If they keep playing like this it won't take long to get back into the top teams in the division. Big game against the Jets coming right up.

These  upcoming schedule  traps, back to back with the Jets ,  and then back to back with the Stars are usually what sends us into a tailspin crashing back down to earth   , no matter how we do in those even if we lose all 4  we cant let them  mentally derail us ,   cause us to self implode .   

True test coming up X2.  Can't wait!

If MoJo can score even a bit, it evens out the team's depth quite a bit.  I don't think every game is gonna need 6 goals like Detroit did.  However, 3-4 from top lines should be more than enough to handle things even against Dallas and Winnipeg.  Spurgeon coming back is going to be a huge help.  He's a defensive wizard, even into the mid-30s.

Don't look now but Servac Petrovsky has 8 points (5G, 3A) in 3 games in the WJC! Looks like a blistering shot!

Oh, also the most points of all the players. nbd. 

Atta boy, Brackett!!  

On 12/28/2023 at 2:11 PM, MNCountryLife said:

For me... this is lazy hockey.  Yesterday I watched MoJo beat the D to the puck in our zone and aggressively pushed his way past along the boards springing himself into the neutral zone.  It was aggressive... and a great play.  He was taking ice and space away from Detroit with aggressive in your face hockey.  He wasn't lazy and taking the easy way out.  

I totally see your point, and I just don't think Johansson is a lazy player. I do think he struggles with confidence which makes him look lazy. 

Last year, on that 20 game run, he looked like a completely different player. He was full of confidence carrying the puck in, using his speed and contributing. Yet, this season, he looked slow and lazy. He would hesitate and be a step off. Then, he scores a goal and suddenly he beams back to life. Now he's skating again, using his speed and contributing. 

This is the Johansson conundrum. And, I believe the key ingredient to good Johansson is simply confidence.