Wild Look to Bounce Back After Sleepy Loss Saturday
Nov 22, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) makes a save against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
My neighbors in my apartment building were probably slightly concerned Saturday evening at about 8:45.
See, the Wild were on the power play with less than a minute remaining, and I was that idiot screaming, “Shoot!” at my television as if the players could hear me. Generally, I like patience on the power play. When you have strength in numbers, you should use it. However, with so little time left, chaos reigns supreme, and the puck should be flying towards the net as much as possible, no questions asked.
Their last-gasp power play is not solely why the Wild lost, of course. It was a pretty listless game for the most part. There were some scoring chances, but not the sustained pressure that is necessary to consistently win, particularly on the road against a quality opponent. That is not to say the Lightning dominated. It was an even game for the most part, but as been the case too often, the Wild struggled to find the back of the net.
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The Wild pounded the Lightning earlier this season, but that game was an outlier. Tampa Bay now has 30 points, or eight more than the Wild. Close losses and moral victories are of no consequence when your division is as tough as the Central this year. Obviously it is far from time to panic with as much time that is left as well as how much talent is on this roster. The key is to not fall too far behind in the early goings.
Which brings us to tonight. The Wild take on the Florida Panthers tonight in the Sunshine State. In a strange coincidence, the Panthers have six overtime losses to the Wild’s none. That has been one of the most frustrating aspects of the first part of the season. It is not so much that the Wild have not won enough games, but that they have not lost in the right ways. Zero Bettman points have the Wild towards the bottom of the Central Division. Those extra points are huge, especially in such a tight division. Obviously, a win would be preferred, but coming out of tonight’s game with nothing would be a disappointing way to end the road trip. With a three game stretch against the Kings, Stars and Blues next, winning tonight would be very helpful.