Wild 2014/2015 Regular Season

[Bear55]

I have a fair amount of faith in this team, we might not do anything this season but that doesn't mean we can't bebound in a big way next year. Just going to sit back and be patient, if we somehow sneak into the playoffs this year great, if not it's not the end of the world. For now I'm just glad we have a competent goalie so there is a glimmer of hope.

[10,000 Casts]

If we can lay a loss on Chi tomorrow, our schedule is pretty soft for the next 10 games with 7 being at home.

It's a great time to build momentum!

[Bear55]

Feb is a big month for the Wild, lots of winnable games and games against bubble teams just ahead of us. Need to make a move now.

[10,000 Casts]

It's interesting how good Dubnyk has looked with the wild. Is he really that good or does this team just make goalies look better?

[bbfenatic]

It's interesting how good Dubnyk has looked with the wild. Is he really that good or does this team just make goalies look better?

I think it has been the other way around for the bigger part of the season..we make other team's goalies look like all-stars...we certainly could not make Backs or Kemps look like they belonged in the NHL. As for Dubnyk...he certainly has played better than what his history has shown...I have not seen a weakness on him yet. IMO the guys are playing so much better in all facets...Parise has been such a big part of that with his relentless tenacity, never give up attitude, and a leader by example. 6 in next 10 at home, not 7...but if they are going to make a move these next 10 are critical cuz it gets very tough towards the end of their reg season schedule making it difficult to make up any ground...anything is possible but if they do slip into the playoffs it would mean beating a good number of great teams down the stretch which would give them a lot of momentum going into the Cup run! If not there is always next year...or the year after that.

[CaptainMusky]

It's interesting how good Dubnyk has looked with the wild. Is he really that good or does this team just make goalies look better?

I think its a little of both. Dubnyk really hasn't played for any decent teams. I mean look at Edmonton, they don't play defense at all. Arizona is only marginally better. When playing our defensive scheme like its meant to be played, we can make an average goalie look really good.

I think the combination of our d playing poorly and the struggling goalies fighting the puck made it look much worse than it should have.

Look at last year as an example. Harding was leading the league in GAA and Save % through the first half of the season. Bryzgalov while an OK goalie, he actually looked great at times. Kuemper played well for the most part too.

Just think how good this team could be if we had another solid d man out there.

One other takeaway I had from last night's game was the effort by Zucker. There was a dump in that he didn't take that extra step to cross the red line and it was going to be icing. Realizing this he gets on his horse and beats it out to negate it. That was just one example of the guys giving that extra effort and how Zucker has really grown his game this year.

Dubnyk would certainly like to have that first goal back. The second one I didn't see, but overall he played a very solid game.

They haven't played their best over this stretch, but in the past they were getting beat. At least they have strung together a few W's.

Its interesting to see how so many teams are slumping right now. Time is ripe for them to peel off some wings and no better way than to pick on teams you're chasing. They haven't moved up the standings at all though, but they are right there but a lot still has to fall their way to get to 8th spot.

[solbes]

Actually they have gained some good ground on Winnipeg. There have to be 2-3 teams that are currently ahead of us that could be overtaken by the end of the regular season if we go on an absolute tear. Winnipeg, Calgary, possibly Vancouver. We have a lot of games on them yet and need to capitalize on all of them. Dallas, LA, and Colorado could just as easily win more games remaining than the Wild.

Whether or not we do make it into the playoffs, it will hopefully be a lot more fun to watch with Dubnyk in net.

[Bear55]

Dubnyk got a bad rap and was chased out of Edmonton after posting some pretty good numbers earlier in his career. After bouncing around a bit he was having a great year in AZ and we got him for cheap. He is pretty much exactly what we needed, someone who can stop the bleeding in net. Didn't realize he was a former 1st round pick too so there is some talent there as well.

[Bear55]

Actually they have gained some good ground on Winnipeg. There have to be 2-3 teams that are currently ahead of us that could be overtaken by the end of the regular season if we go on an absolute tear. Winnipeg, Calgary, possibly Vancouver. We have a lot of games on them yet and need to capitalize on all of them. Dallas, LA, and Colorado could just as easily win more games remaining than the Wild.

Whether or not we do make it into the playoffs, it will hopefully be a lot more fun to watch with Dubnyk in net.

Even if we go on a tear it's going to be a nail bitter to the end. Those extra points in OT and shootouts could hurt us this year, it makes it really hard to catch up and pass other teams unless you keep on winning in regulation.

[leechlake]

making the playoffs is so much fun for us, the fans, that I hope they eek in. Probably a one and done if they do but its so much better hockey than the regular season that it would be a blast if they make it.

[bbfenatic]

Sounds like Cooke may be done for the season, Schroeder playing tonight...too bad it took an injury but Schroeder should have been playing for him long ago IMO.

[CaptainMusky]

I think Schroeder was called up because of Fontaine, wasn't he? So, I am thinking there may need to be another call up. Sutter? Graovac?

I agree on Schroeder, he played well enough to earn a spot for sure.

Boy, not sure how much you guys have followed the Iowa Wild, but they are an absolute mess right now. Lost 6 in a row. Kuemper was pulled in his first game there. Lost a game last night they had the lead in the 3rd. Not looking good for options to call up.

[10,000 Casts]

Isn't Schroeder a Center? An undersized center at that and we could use some size on our 3rd and 4th lines. I'd rather see Graovac up and what about Bickel? Didn't he play some wing in preseason?

[bobberineyes]

I think at this point of the season and pretty much every point is needed to reach the postseason, our coaching staff needs to start seeing the big picture and start giving the guys not playing up to their potential the night off and let someone else have a chance. Definitely give Graovac another look, sit carter if we have to. We don't need any body running around looking to drop the mits but we could use bickel from time to time. Anyone else in Iowa that could see some ice time?

[CaptainMusky]

Schroeder is a wing. Yep he is small. I like his energy though. Not sure who they are filling both spots with I haven't seen any other roster moves.

[bobberineyes]

Even though they scored early, it seems they are trying to force to many passes in to tight, they Need to start stretching the ice

[CaptainMusky]

Stretching the ice against most any other team is good but the hawks can kill you. 40 minutes look good so far. I hate 3 goal leads. Need to keep the pressure on and What is going on with the fans? This is the hawks for crying out loud!!!! Show some energy!

[schmitty3]

Sit Carter!? He's been playing some great hockey lately, and has looked good with Nino and Coyle.

Very impressive win tonight, but no time to let up these next 3 games are huge.

[PierBridge]

I'm back on the bandwagon...

[lungdeflator]

Never leapt off the wagon! I love it when they beat the Hawks.

[CaptainMusky]

There is still a glimmer of hope. Nice win last night overall a very convincing win. Apparently all of my "calling out" of Prosser has worked because he has had a very solid stretch of games. Ones where you don't have those pucker moments every 10 seconds when he is out there. That is a good sign.

Dumba still scares the daylights out of me when he is out there. Some flashes of offense, but he has to be more aware of who the forwards are on the ice with him. When he steps up he needs someone to be taking his space. A couple times I saw him rush up, but no one came back and that could have been disastrous. Once there was a stretch pass to Toews that just about worked on such a play.

Nice stretch, but they cannot let up now. Starting to get more fun to watch!!

If I did my calcs right they are in a tie for 10th spot. BUt lose the tiebreaker with the Kings. 1 pt from 9th.

WE'RE COMIN!!!!

[solbes]

Wow, look at all the positive energy around here. We should note that returned forks do carry a 20% restocking fee, so some of you have to pay up.

Hope the boys are not looking at those standings. Liked what Yeo said about not spending one second looking backwards to pat themselves on the back. Foot on the gas for regulation wins please.

Dubnyk has been The Dude.

[bbfenatic]

Best overall performance this year IMO. Chicago never saw it coming, Wild overwhelmed them from the start and never let up....wow is that fun to see....loved the one-timer by Granny...maybe that will ignite him a bit.

[CaptainMusky]

loved the one-timer by Granny...maybe that will ignite him a bit.

That sure was pretty and I hope it gets him going as well. So much of this game is between the ears. These guys have talent, just lacked some confidence for a while. Hopefully we are on an upward trend.

We cannot afford any significant injuries right now, that would be devastating.

[bbfenatic]

Wow, look at all the positive energy around here. We should note that returned forks do carry a 20% restocking fee, so some of you have to pay up.

LOL Sorry but my fork is stuck so deep in them I can't even find it...I'll keep trying and maybe have it out by the 1st of March ...does anyone know how crow tastes....like chicken I hope.