What is up with the Wild Powerplay?

How does the Minnesota Wild go 0-10 on the powerplay last night? The most disappointing thing is that I feel like the Wild had multiple opportunities to put it in the net. The powerplay futility reminded me of years ago when the Wild was unbalbe to put the "Biscuit in the basket." I hope that last night's game versus the Canadiens was just a fluke and not a sign of bad things to come. GO WILD!!!

Wild host Montreal Canadiens at Xcel on Halloween Eve

It could be a spooky night at the Xcel Energy Center tonight. The Minnesota Wild is coming off a horrible 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars last night (pathetic game). I am sure Jacques is up in arms and the team is not going to get a lot of rest to get ready for the Montreal Canadiens tonight.

Since it is Halloween Eve, the Minnesota Wild are encouraging costumes for tonight’s game and are giving away prizes to the top three kids including an autographed Minnesota Wild jersey. The top adult will be invited to make the "Let's Play Hockey!" announcement prior to the game. Let’s hope all the ghosts and goblins don’t spook our Minnesota Wild players into submission.


Luckily, Mikko Koivu isn’t spooked easily, he is off to the best start of his career and I am sure he is excited to be playing against his brother Saku Koivu tonight. It is going to be a great match-up at the X tonight and as much as I hate to pin the season on one single game, this could be a real downer for the next few months if the Wild don’t pull off a win.

Lemaire Over Coaches in Loss

In last night's defeat by the Buffalo Sabres, it became even more evident that there are times when Jacques lemaire over thinks, over scrutinizes and over coaches. With around six minutes remaining in the game and the Minnesota Wild having played great hockey in the second and the beginning of the third period, Lemaire called a time out and instructed his players on what to do the last six minutes of the game. Unfortunately, that moment was the beginning of the end.

The Minnesota Wild proceeded to play the rest of the game tight, unfocused and tentative. The Sabres scored three goals, one of which was the game winner in overtime, in less than five minutes. That left me, and by the looks on the faces of everyone at the Xcel Energy Center who bought Wild Tickets, shell shocked!

I hope that Jacques Lemaire just lets the Wild play next time they are playing well and up by two goals with less than six minutes remaining in the game. I am sure that it will result in a different outcome.

Minnesota Wild Skating Party

The Minnesota Wild has an annual Season Ticket Holder Halloween Skating Party which is going to take place on the ice of the Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday, October 28. This is a great benefit of being a Minnesota Wild Season Ticket Holder and an excellent example of how the Minnesota Wild tries to take care of those that make the commitment to Buy Wild Tickets on an annual basis. GO WILD!!!

Marian Gaborik Situation

One of my loyal readers emailed me on the "Gaborik Situation." I have not looked into the comment but I found it very interesting and insightful.

Kate from California wrote, "Minnesota Wild winger Marion Gaborik is now in the final year of his contract without an extension in place. According to the hockey handicappers at BetOnline.com, the chances of the Wild retaining Gaborik this season are a long-shot. The odds on the Minnesota lefty not being traded are at 7-to-2."

Generally speaking odds makers are really good at their jobs. This leads me to believe that it isn't a coincidence that Gaborik isn't playing tonight. My theory is that their is a trade brewing and the Minnesota Wild can't risk Gaborik being injured. We will have to wait and see!

2008-2009 Minnesota Wild Roster

I am embarrassed to admit it but I can't remember a past year when I had lower expectations than I have this year for the Minnesota Wild. The lack of "big splash" free agent signings as well as the loss of excellent contributors like Rolston and Demitra has me longing for the years when I expected the Minnesota Wild to win and go to the NHL Playoffs. However, let's face it, the Minnesota Wild hasn't exactly prospered in the playoffs since their improbable run to the Western Conference Finals during the 2002-2003 season. Every year after that run, I had extremely high expectations to only be let down by my favorite NHL team. I just hope that this year the exact opposite happens where I expect very little but the Minnesota Wild thrives and brings home their first Stanley Cup!

I am definitely going to grab a few Minnesota Wild Tickets for the Home Opener versus the Boston Bruins in order to see if the impressive preseason record is for real. GO WILD!!!