MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – The previous season, many fans gave free passes for the Wild. There was new management, new coaches and an entirely new playing system. When the Wild missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, Wild fans were not overly surprised. However, heading into the 2010-2011 season, expectations were raised.
Currently, the Wild are ranked 10th in a competitive Western conference. They are currently 6th in powerplay percentage and 17th in penalty killing.
But while they are still in the race for the playoffs, the Wild inconsistency has been troubling. The team has only outshot their opponents in three games this entire season, two of which were losses and one overtime loss. In addition, the team ranks 29th and 7th in goals for and goals against during the second period respectively. This is quite the contrast considering the Wild’s first period stats where they rank 10th and 26th in goals for and goals against during the first period.
Still, the Wild find ways to win even while trailing in the shot count. Martin Havlat is having a rebound year with the team with 36 points in 40 games, on pace to beating his previous year’s 54 points in 73 games. Brent Burns is also having a great year, already beating his last years point total with 26 points after recovering from a sudden concussion that have had fans worried. The signing of Matt Cullen has proven beneficial, finally giving the team a second line center and a dangerous player on the powerplay.
Injuries have always bothered the Wild since the previous franchise’s star player, Marian Gaborik, began to constantly miss games due to injury. Guillaume Latendresse, who was supposed to be one of the Wild’s main offensive weapons, succumbed to a groin injury, leaving after only playing on after 8 games. Marek Zidlicky, one of the team’s key blueliners, also recently was put on the injury reserve after sustaining a shoulder injury. Both James Sheppard and Josh Harding were expecting to play their possibly last season with the Wild but have both missed the entire season due to injuries.
However, the Wild have had its share of positive surprises, including the play of minor-league callups. Justin Falk, Marco Scandella and Jared Spurgeon have all impressed with their solid play in the pros. Spurgeon especially have been a pleasant surprise. Listed generously at 5’8” 175lbs, his rights expired with the New York Islanders at the beginning of the season when the team decided not the sign him. The Wild invited Spurgeon to training camp and the small-statured defenseman has played solidly ever since.
The return of Pierre-Marc Bouchard has also been quite a surprise. Bouchard only played one game last season before suffering a concussion. Many thought he would have to be sent down to Houston first in order for rehabilitation but he made an impact immediately with his superb playmaking skills and excellent vision. Bouchard gives the Wild the extra offense it desperately needs.
The Wild are hoping to install some consistency in their game if they want to make the playoffs, and starting with three wins against the Devils, Coyotes and Bruins is a great way to start. The Wild are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games and in the tight Western conference, every single point counts.
Contact the writer at daniel.chan@prohockeynews.com
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