Wild 2015-2016 Season

[fishersofmen]

It would be nice to make the playoffs I guess. We might be able to win 1 or 2 games if we make it in but I think that would be the extent of it. Just hard for me to get too excited about this club knowing what they are which is very average. I still watch every game but need to be realistic. It is nice that they have figured out how to win some OT games.

[hoppe56307]

Guess I have not been watching who has been on the ice as of late.  Vanek has been a healthy scratch the last couple of games and will be a healthy scratch again tonight.  

 

Torchetti to Scratch Vanek.

[CaptainMusky]

The problem with benching Vanek I would blame on the Wild organization. If they brought him in thinking they could turn him into some defensive juggernaut then they are in the wrong business. Most of his struggles are because he hasn't been with linemates who can finish on the opportunities he creates. Haula, Neiderreiter and Vanek was a great line for a while, but then things got all switched up and now Pominville has been out shuffling things around even more.

This will be a tough game tonight. I don't think that Quick will start since he played last night, but he was pulled in the game so who knows what Sutter has in his head.

They need this one bad. Lots of home games left down the stretch but they have to make them count. They had been terrible at home lately.

[O.T.C.]

Well they won the tough game ! When I heard Vanek gambling problems I thought oh great, the competition from hockey isn't enough, his mind is elsewhere at times it seems. With the video of today I sure hope each player watches a string of games where they were at their best and see what were the little things I was doing to make myself and team more successful.

[fishersofmen]

4 in a row! Nice to see Parise finally get a few in. Poor Backstrom lol.

If we can take down Colorado this weekend it would be hard to miss the playoffs. That would put us up by 5 and they hit the road for the Predators and Blues. This game against Colorado is HUGE.

Edited March 25, 2016 by fishersofmen

[bbfenatic]

I don't see Avs being able to overcome losing both McKinnon and Duschene. We got ourselves into the drivers seat and barring a complete wreck the Wild should be able to keep their clubs in storage a week or 2 longer...then it's tee time IMO.

On a side note, Hackstol has the Flyers sitting in a position to make the playoffs which they were not expecting to do...in fact they have 2 more pts than the Wild right now but are fighting the Red Wings for that last spot in the East.

[CaptainMusky]

I will admit, I didn't give Hakstol much of a shot going to the NHL and considering the Flyers lineup, BUT, he has done a good job. Honestly I think it may be worthy of Coach of the year, but that may be tough to attain.

I was a huge fan of his last night! :-)

Big win last night, but poor Backstrom is right. Man, the game has clearly past him by. If he had a much better defense in front of him he would stand a chance, but he just doesn't have it anymore.

[CaughtABuzz]

6 hours ago, fishersofmen said:

4 in a row! Nice to see Parise finally get a few in. Poor Backstrom lol.

If we can take down Colorado this weekend it would be hard to miss the playoffs. That would put us up by 5 and they hit the road for the Predators and Blues. This game against Colorado is HUGE.

I love Parise and he is a work horse like no other....but interesting thought. 9 of 22 goals this year have been scored in 3 games as that was his 3rd hat trick. That means he has scored 40% of his goals in 3 games, not a great stat on paper but also one of times a stat doesn't show how much a player can contribute.

[Bear55]

Nice to see Parise wake up, pretty huge game today, they gave a game in hand so we are either up by 5 points and have a cushion for that or we give everything away. With the injuries they have there are no excuses to lose today. With both teams only having 7 and 8 games left this is critical. And of course we own the avs so there is always that.  

[knoppers]

wild are playing some good hockey now, and dubs has picked up his game, good shutout today.

[bottomdweller]

Yes, we owned the avs.  Dubs is looking like the dubs of last year.  So is the whole team, cant figure these guys out.  I think they were laying in the weeds til playoff season.  Hope we make a good run

[CaptainMusky]

Big game tonight. Avs won last night to pull within 3pts we cannot afford to let them think there is still a chance. They play the Blues tonight, while we have the Hawks. I don't like our chances. We have been manhandling the Hawks in the regular season and I just don't see that happening again tonight.

I hope I am wrong, but I see the Blackhawks sending a message tonight.

[Bear55]

Yep need to take a point or points home tonight, we aren't in the clear yet.

[Bear55]

Nice win & avs loss last night, I'm not math wiz but I think any combo of 6 points - wild win or avs losses will clinch it for us. 5 games left for both team.

[CaptainMusky]

What a cheap shot by Keith on Coyle! I never knew him to be that type of player before, but now I read he has been disciplined by the league twice already. I think he is in for a healthy fine and suspension after that. Coyle is lucky he had the half shield because it deflected some of the blow.

I would have liked to see Coyle stand over Keith and bleed on him. LOL

Great effort by the team again last night, glad they proved me wrong. It is something to say when you have beaten a team 7 consecutive times in the regular season. Maybe that will give the boys some confidence in the playoffs should they meet again? It isn't like they have gotten destroyed in individual games by the Hawks in the playoffs, just a few clutch plays. Now they are  making those plays.

Haula is an absolute animal! Do NOT change anything with his playing time.

[leechlake]

that was bad.  Keith seemed angry Coyle pushed him over when the puck wasn't there and then acted like he was embarrassed and his ego got in the way.  I don't know what to think about what happened afterwards.  The old school in me wanted anyone to go after Keith and part of me likes that they did nothing.  It was Parise and Koivu but I didn't see who was on d.  I'd give that one a ten gamer since he's done it before.  

[bottomdweller]

Yeah totally blatant bad hit, hope hes out for the season.  Im with you leech, the old school in me wanted retaliation but in the end I am glad they stayed composed.  Defense was phenominal again.  Looks like they are believing in themselves again

[fishersofmen]

1 hour ago, leechlake said:

that was bad.  Keith seemed angry Coyle pushed him over when the puck wasn't there and then acted like he was embarrassed and his ego got in the way.  I don't know what to think about what happened afterwards.  The old school in me wanted anyone to go after Keith and part of me likes that they did nothing.  It was Parise and Koivu but I didn't see who was on d.  I'd give that one a ten gamer since he's done it before.  

That's what I was thinking 10 games. I think they said he got 5 last time. Should be out the rest of the regular season for sure. This is not Chicago's year. They have won 8 of their last 21 and are clearly not the same team. Not sure who I would rather face in the first round but I would lean towards the Blues even though they look more dangerous than last year.

[O.T.C.]

I liked the Dumba fight as well last night. We got guys playing for one another and the team as well. I, boy, I guess I'm ok with no 1 railroading Keith and don't doubt Charlie said later not to worry guys no prob man, I'll offer Keith an invitation next best chance I get and I'll take care of that in time.  

[O.T.C.]

Let's get in and who knows really, doesn't appear to be too many teams I put money on to win the thing, not seeing too many Tom Brady's out there meaning like Alex O. for the caps, he would've won one by now if that was the deal. Maybe it's there year the Caps but I've thought that before and no dice so get in and see what happens. One thing I think I noticed is with Jared Spurgeon, we've been greatly improved since he came back, coincidence maybe but idk he seems to be a huge asset. Kinda wishful thinking but I wish we somehow had Brent Burns and Clayton Stoner yet lets say on the blueline. Stoner took on Chara for heavens sake and pounded/bloodied up Chris Neil for Ottawa a few days ago, dude is fearless and tough as nails when called upon.

[Bear55]

We really need to suck less against average teams from the east, thankfully Washington is up right now against the Avs or we are in trouble again. I hate how we like to make things interesting this time of year.

[Bear55]

Thank you Washington, magic number at 4.

[fishersofmen]

Dubs looked very slow and tired yesterday, a couple of times just layed on the ice. I thought Kemper would have played on a back to back. Good thing Colorado lost.

[Bear55]

Avs down 4-0 so we are likely to find a way into the playoofs but we kind of feel like a first round appetizer for another team who wants to be there.

[fishersofmen]

Looks like we will stumble into the playoffs. To the Jets credit they did play a great game and brought everything they had but we still needed to find a way to win. How many games will we win against Dallas or St Louis that is if we make it in? I think 1 or 2 would be on the generous side.