by NiNY
Wild
Lots of interesting story lines around the Wild right now, as we discussed on TDI last night (and I'm sure you've listened to).
Welcome to the show, Charlie Coyle. The keys to success with the Wild are simple: strong on the boards, physical presence, score goals, don't screw up defensively. You got that, right, kid?
The top line staying together (for now) makes sense. In the absence of consistent secondary scoring, sooner or later teams would figure out how to shut down the top line. With improved secondary scoring the past few games, hopefully we can present opposing teams with a checking conundrum.
We've seen the top line produce and the secondary scoring come out of its shell. It would be great to see what happens when both those things are taking place within the same game.
Defense is getting better. It seems like the top two pairings are developing some chemistry and rhythm within themselves.
Coyotes
Torres is back, the bastard. Maybe Konopka can tune him up in preparation for facing Burrows later in the week. The Coyotes play a defense-first game, so scoring should be at a premium. Vrbata has been a point-per-game player so far this season. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a budding stud. Coyotes' defense is solid.
Disciplined, opportunistic and solid are words I associate with the Coyotes. Well, and "tough draw", but that's a different blog post.
Numbers
GP MIN 8 PHX 9
GF/GM MIN T20th 2.38 PHX T8th 3.00
GA/GM MIN T15th 2.75 PHX 17th 2.78
PP% MIN 19th 16.1% PHX 13th 22.0%
PK% MIN 11th 82.1% PHX 13th 81.2%
Prediction
Should be a low scoring game, but I like the Wild's top line to break out of a mini-slump and be the difference.
Final Score: 3-2 Wild wins
Wild goal scorer: Coyle
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