Three Things - Caps @ Wild

by mbennett on Nov 24, 2008 9:50 PM CST

Did you know that you can’t close your hand on the puck? Anyway, moving on to the issues…

Why the Wild won:

1) Drive to the net/Shoot the puck – Funny when you shoot, and shoot, and drive, good things happen. The Wild threw at least 32 pucks at the net, and got 4 goals. Never mind the let down at the end, we will get to that later. There was a good fore-check and a good offensive style they tried tonight.

2) Cal! – What a nice little game for Cap’n Clutterbuck. He hit about a billion people, and dropped in two goals. Congrats Cal, you are the new Aaron Voros. Skate hard, hit everything, be a fan favorite.

3) He Who Must Not Be Named – All kidding aside “Marty” is looking good. He is getting in the shot lanes, and he is playing a decent physical style of defense. Hats off to you he who must not be named.

Why the Wild could have lost:

1) Umm…letdown? – The Versus guy said it well, the wild celebrated their 4 goals, and decided to stop playing. I am so used to seeing a very strong defensive effort with the lead, but that simply didn’t happen tonight. I felt like I was watching the “prevent” defense in football. Its like they forgot that they could let a team back in a goal at a time. Lets not revisit that boys!

2) The first 5 on 3 – The wild had one shot in nearly 1:45 of 5-on-3 time. Absolutely unacceptable. I was going crazy, and yes, yelling at the HD feed. Bad news Wild, I want 1 goal, not one shot. Ugh. Luckily they got things going, because that lack of production could have cost them.

3) A lack of Sharpness from Antti – There were at least 5 passes that he had incorrect weight on, and he just looked lost out there tonight. We need him to produce a good solid game from the wing. I am not expecting 25-35 goals this year, but we need that 10-15 from you.

I was all ready for talking about the dominating performance, but I had to change gears after the last six minutes. Hope you guys can enjoy the Wild win, even with the bad ending.

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Comments

CTHOTP

That was the first time I’ve ever seen three minors for CTHOTP. Color me shocked.

Oh, and He Who Must Not Be Named is having a career year, if his entire career was played for Jacques Lemaire. Never before has he been this solid in his own zone for so long. I’m absolutely terrified right now.

Spot on with your reasons the Wild could have lost. Once they stopped forechecking, I was assuming the worst. I hate when they go into that mode. It reminds me too much of seasons at Mariucci with the Wooger. Then Mittens was off all night. He was putting in good shifts, but clearly was gripping the stick too tightly, or as I like to call it, “pulling a Bouchard.” Everything he touched turned to crap tonight. At least he kept trying. He needs to shoot his way out of this slump. I’m afraid he’s going to turn into Erik Belanger if he’s not careful.

by nathaneide on Nov 24, 2008 10:39 PM CST reply actions