Minnesota Wild vs. St Louis Blues: Game Recap

Minnesota Wild 0 - 5348975406 St Louis Blues
Actual score: Minnesota Wild 0 - 4 St Louis Blues

For the enemy perspective, please visit St. Louis Game Time

Now THIS is a rivalry. The realignment can't come quickly enough.

The first period was pretty tame for a Blues-Wild game. The Wild had their chances, but not many actually made it to the net. They showed good hustle and energy, blocked shots, threw hits, nice hard-working period for our guys, but the Blues played the same. The home team got on the board first when a Scott Nichol wraparound attempt surprised Nate Prosser in front of the net, who fumbled the puck in front of the net. Ryan Reaves, of all players, buried his first of the year amidst the confusion. Who's next? Matt Kassian? Well, he damn near scored after he caught a high pass with his hand and saw his slapshot get deflected over the net. No penalties, but some pushing and shoving after the whistle, usually involving Kassian and Reaves. No one wanted to drop the gloves though, and why would the Blues risk losing momentum at the hands of the Kassassin?

The second period...well...can I just skip it? The Wild clearly did...no? Fine. The second period could have been called ''Revenge of the second period lull''. It was downright horrible. They were outshot by the Blues 17-3 and were outplayed in every single aspect. The powerplay was atrocious, the defensive zone play was all over the place, and the first line took care of the few shots they did get once again. Cal Clutterbuck also needs to stop taking temperamental penalties when things aren't going well. It's nice that he shows some heart, but he's hurting the team with these unneeded penalties. Barrett Jackman also got his first of the season on a fluttering slapper and Andy McDonald added a tip-in on the powerplay to make it 3-0 Blues.

The third period was ''Son of second period lull: The third chapter''. Truly awful. Only three Minnesota shots to bring the game total to THIRTEEN, a Warren Peters cross-check to David Backes' face (seriously dude, don't do that. That's dumb.) and 37 of a total of 41 penalty minutes (so much for the game being tame). Vladimir Sobotka added insult to injury with the team's second powerplay goal. It's a miracle that only 4 of the 34 shots directed at Josh Harding went in. The Blues are one of the stingiest defensive teams, sure, but the Wild played like weiners. That's right. Weiners. To out-penalize the Blues 41-12 in minutes, to give two players their first goal of the season, to muster 13 shots on net...that takes a pretty horrible performance.

Let's just turn the page on this one. No use dwelling on it. Tomorrow, the Bruins, in what is likely to be an even worse beating. Enjoy.

Quick facts:

The Wild and Blues have shared 106 PIM in 2009-2010, 130 in 2010-2011 and 163 this season.

Dany Heatley has 11 points in the last 11 games.

The streak of games in which Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi were the only goal scorers reached 5.

The Blues improved to 28-0-0 when scoring 3 goals or more... getting their 12th team shutout helped.

Via Bruce: ''It's Brian Elliott's first shutout against Minnesota since he beat the Gophers 4-0 in the Final Five March 18, 2006.''

The Bennett's Chop & Railhouse Stars of the Game:

1. Kevin Shattenkirk (2A, +3)
2. Alex Pietrangelo (2A)
3. Vladimir Sobotka (1G, 4 shots, general nuisance)

Remember, when you begin and end your night at Bennett's, you're the star! Easy parking, drink and food specials and a free shuttle to and from the Xcel Energy Center. Check them out athttp://bennettschopandrailhouse.com/.

5 questions:

1. Koivu out. Does it matter? Unless he had a 4 goal performance in him, it probably did not matter.
   
2. Can the Wild keep pace with the Blues? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
3. Can the Wild score more than one goal? See #2.
   
4. Wild need a hero today. Does that man exist? Nope.
   
5. Whose fault is it? Do we really care? I'm blaming this one on Bryan.