Scouting the Enemy: Minnesota Wild

by FrankD on Nov 18, 2008 10:30 AM EST in News

Record: 10-4-1

Leading scorers: Mikko Koivu (2G, 13A, 15pts), Antti Miettinen (6G, 6A, 12pts)

PS - tonight's game is on Versus. You have no excuse not to join us for the Open Thread.

The Wild are looking to win their third straight win while the Pens are hoping to extend their six-game to seven. It won't be an easy one and frankly I think the Wild stand a solid chance against the Pens.

Keep in mind this Wild team literally shot out of the gate to start the season. Minnesota kicked off the year with a 7-0-1 run before finally suffering a regulation loss to the Stars at the tail end of October. These guys are no joke.

Niklas Backstrom will get the start in net, as he may very well be right up there with the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist for most starts by a goaltender. Then again even Henrik is getting some nights off. With the exception of one game (a loss), Backstrom has been in net for the Wild all year, posting an impressive 10-3-1 record.

This will be the first time Backstrom faces the Pens, as he was out with an injury last year when the Pens won 4-2. I actually remember thinking to myself last October, "Good, the Pens dodged a bullet there." But this season they're really going to be put to the test with a healthy Backstrom. Let's see how this one pans out.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Go Pens!

For hockey fans everywhere who loathe the Wild and their “style” of play, beat the living daylights out of them!

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 18, 2008 1:01 PM EST reply actions

Oh? They have a style – dare I say swagger? Do tell.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Nov 18, 2008 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

Nope

Just another Avs fan who doesn’t understand that the Wild don’t trap, and automatically assume because Lemaire ran a trap in New Jersey, he does here too. We understand that the NHL has passed the Avs by and they are no longer relevant, but they haven’t gotten the memo yet.

Could be worse, they could be Canucks or Ducks fans. Or worse, Maple Leafs fans once Burke ruins that franchise too.

by nathaneide on Nov 18, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

What was that?

neide, assuming you are a Wild fan …. I couldn’t hear you with the two Av Stanley Cup rings in my ears. And what happened in the playoffs again last year?

Mild fans are funny.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 18, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

Neide is a Wild fan Mr. Bob, and also SBN’s residential Wild blogger – Hockey Wilderness

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Nov 18, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

And...

Not the only resident Wild Blogger. I got your back neide! The Avs won that series las season because the Wild kept tripping over Sakic’s cane.

The only way to avoid failure, is to learn from it.

by BReynolds on Nov 18, 2008 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

Explain it please.

BiB-

Could you explain what the “trap” means to you please?

The only way to avoid failure, is to learn from it.

by BReynolds on Nov 18, 2008 7:37 PM EST reply actions

One: Did I mention “the trap?”
Two: I’ll ask Gabby what he thinks of the Wild style of play. Although I didn’t notice, has he played for the Wild since the last regular season ended?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 18, 2008 9:30 PM EST up reply actions