By Wild Road Tripper
The Minnesota Wild took to the ice at HP Pavilion at San Jose Saturday night with a new attitude, new coach, a handful of new players and renewed optimism. The San Jose Sharks let the optimism run for awhile; then in just over half a period, crushed that optimism like so many empty cans of soda, defeating the Wild 4-2 in front of 17,562. The Sharks had plenty of help, as 10 different players shared in the scoring.
Wild offense: Until an ill-timed letdown midway thru the second period, the Wild actually outshot the Sharks, then the Wild did not get a shot on Evgeni Nabokov the last 8:45 of the second period. The night went downhill from there.
Wild defense: Nick Schultz was a -2. Again. For the second straight night. Brent Burns? -2 also. Kim Johnsson? Two penalties. Need I say more?
Sharks Offense: Ten different players with points, led by Patrick Marleau (2 G, 1 A). And they were trying to move this guy in the last off-season. Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make.
Sharks Defense: Stiffened up in the middle of the second period, giving Nabokov a needed rest. By the time the Wild figured out what was going on, the result had been determined.
Leader: Marleau. He may have lost the Captain's 'C', but not his desire.
Lagger: Schultz. Could it be that getting in the play offensively be affecting what got him to the NHL in the first place?
Stud: Nabokov. Held the Sharks in the game when they really needed it.
Dud: Burns. Minus -2. Took on too much and left the Wild open for rushes the other direction.
The Assembled Multitude was seen last running away with a number of Raiders-fans-in-training after them. Comments were made 'On the Run':
Chicken Little: A record of 1-3 shows that you are indeed in the running...for the #1 draft pick! Now, if DR didn't trade it away, the Wild may have something to look forward to!
Pollyanna: It's only Game 4, Chicken Little! The sky is not falling yet! The Wild never play well in San Jose, so let's move on from there!
Bottom Line: The Wild played two games last night. The first game, they won 2-0. The second game, they were blown out, 4-0. Sadly, only the second one counted in the standings.
Next: at Anaheim, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 9:00 PM Central (7:00 PM Pacific) Time. (TV: FSNorth, FSWisconsin, FSPrime Ticket, all feeds in HD; XM Ch. 205)
2 comments:
Is it true the wild don't have a 1st round pick next year? I'm trying to remember where that one went to.
No, that's not true. The Wild still have their 2010 draft pick, but in DR's world, we probably wouldn't have; he'd traded it away for some had-been. Just taking another shot at the man who created this mess, that's all.
Sorry if it confused you, Ryan.
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