With seventeen games played this far in the NHL season, the Minnesota Wild have a total record of 8-8-2. Far from the blistering pace to which they started last season’s chase for the Cup, but they are eight points out of first place. Every facet of the Wild’s game needs improvement, if they are going to contend this week. Their season to this point has been inconsistent and lackluster.
After a concerning start to the season, Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury settled in and had a GAA of 2.80 and a .906 save percentage before going out recently with an upper body injury after a game against the Predators. No return date was given in a recent interview with Wild coach Dean Evason with him stating “You just don’t know. We’ll continue to evaluate. He’s in here today getting treatment, getting it looked after. Hopefully we’ll have him sooner than later.”
In the meantime Filip Gustavsson is in net for the Wild, who are came back to beat the Carolina Hurricanes in OT tonight. The Wild called up Zane McIntyre, a Thief River Falls native, from AHL Iowa Wild. At first, I was kind mad they didn’t call Jasper Wallstedt, but then again, it’s better that he gets more starts in the AHL, than to back up Gustavsson in St. Paul right now.
The Wild are 3-5-1 at home this season after tonight’s win and 5-3-1 on the road. Yes, you read that right. Their home record has “sucked” as Dean Evason recently stated, but as we all know, a winning streak starts with one game and hopefully the Wild can get on a hot streak. Winning streaks can start with one magic moment in a season. Perhaps, like Alex Goligoski’s OT winner tonight while also celebrating his 1,000th NHL contest. Watch it here:
We will see if this is the spark that the Wild needs to get something going this season. We can only hope – much like we do for spring in Minnesota. Until next time – Go Wild!!!!
The Morning Skate 