So last night’s loss was probably not a shocker. The Wild were playing the second game of a back-to-back while on the road against a team that had not played since before the All Star Game. If the Flames were feeling rusty at all after the break, they weren’t showing it much last night. Meanwhile, the Wild looked pretty tired. It happens. The good news is that the Wild are still on top of the West by a healthy margin. More concerning was that the Niederreiter - Staal - Coyle line had 1 shot on goal last night. ONE. Coyle was even demoted to the fourth line for much of the game. His struggles are quickly becoming the non-story that should be a story. It’s been hiding behind the Wild’s overall great run, the sudden scoring from the fourth line, and Jonas Brodin’s injury for now, but that can’t last much longer.
The Yeolo Era has begun for the St. Louis Blues. Blues GM Doug Armstrong fired Ken Hitchcock for coaching a team experiencing prolonged terrible goaltending. Mike Yeo, who unconventionally had already been named as the heir apparent before this season began, steps in a little earlier than expected to take the reins. The good news for Blues fans is that Yeo is familiar with bad goaltending situations. The bad news, there isn’t much he (or almost any head coach for that matter) can do about it short of asking the GM to trade for another netminder. In any event, it should make for a cinematic showdown the next time the Wild and Blues face-off. In that spirit, here is a medley of cinematic score composer Hans Zimmer’s work performed by one talented guy in six parts.
Wild News
Flames extinguish Wild's road points streak - StarTribune.com
The Wild on Wednesday gave up two power-play goals for the first time since Nov. 29 in a 5-1 stinker at Calgary.
Wild’s road streak ends with a thud in Calgary – Twin Cities
Red-hot Minnesota Wild leading West, stats sheets
Heading into Wednesday's late games, the MN Wild led the NHL with a goal differential of plus 54, and had tied a league record earning points in 12 straight road games.
Suddenly, Wild's Graovac is finding his game - StarTribune.com
Tyler Graovac, who had no points in 17 consecutive games and one in the previous 30, scored three goals in two games before Wednesday.
Cavalry Has Arrived for the Wild
Tending the Fields
Wild trade minor leaguer to Senators for future considerations
Wild trade minor leaguer to Senators for future considerations
On Frozen Pond
Bryce backing up Brodzinski name for Blaine boys hockey |
3 Brothers in the NHL pipeline, 1 to go...
GOPHERSPORTS.COM Gophers Trio Up for Hobey Baker :: University of Minnesota Official Athletic Site :: Ice Hockey
The Official Athletic Site of the University of Minnesota - The 2017 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 7, 2017 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Chicago, IL.
Out of the Lineup, Part of the Team | MSHSL
Light skating at practice is as far as she will get this season; a knee injury suffered shortly before practice began in October put a stake through her senior year.
Off the Trail
30 Thoughts: Lightning's Yzerman not biting on low offers for Bishop - Sportsnet.ca
The great pre-trade-deadline staredown continues in the NHL, but one GM expects a rival exec will jump in sooner than later. That and more in this week's 30 Thoughts.
Transcribing Don Cherry Does Not Really Help In Understanding Him
Former NHL coach and current CBC commentator Don Cherry tends to speak quickly, and it doesn’t help that his suits talk over him, but Reddit user Doopus16 provided a service to the public by transcribing two of Cherry’s Coach’s Corner segments. The result might not be that beneficial, but the replay value is strong.
Top 20 NHL trade deadline candidates: Who could be dealt? - Sportsnet.ca
The 2017 NHL Trade Deadline is around the corner so the speculation and rumours are beginning to ramp up.
Report: Iginla would like to 'go somewhere' at the trade deadline - Sportsnet.ca
In an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Puck Daddy blog, Colorado Avalanche Jarome Iginla said quite frankly that he wants to get dealt to a playoff contender at the March 1 deadline.
Power Rankings: The Wild can't be beat at home or on the road | The Hockey News
The Wild move to the top of the power rankings thanks to a great run, and having the best points percentage in the NHL.
Marchand’s a top scorer, but won’t get credit until he shakes his bad reputation | The Hockey News
Despite the fact he won't be suspended for his contact with Anton Stralman, fans aren't likely to give Brad Marchand the credit he deserves as a top scorer until he can prove he's cleaned up his game.