– 1/24 @ TB (29-15-1) Loss 4-2
The Wild struggled defensively and couldn’t get enough scoring chances against the Lightning as they lost 4-2. Fleury stopped 35 of 38 shots. To me 38 shots is too many shots to be giving up. The Wild were able to get two scores one from Kirill and another from Eriksson-Ek. In the end the defense didn’t do enough to clear Tampa Bay from our zone. Dumba played and was -2, which goes to show he isn’t that great of a Defenseman and it might be time for a change for him.
– 1/26 vs PHI (20-20-7) Win 3-2 OT
The Wild ended their 3 game losing streak with a OT win against the Flyers. Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves for Minnesota. Boldy, who assisted on Zuccarello’s winner, had his third multi-goal game of the season. The 21-year-old left wing has 16 goals in his second NHL season and has seven points during a four-game point streak. In the first 10 minutes of this game there were 3 different fights all within 16 seconds of each other. That was the spark of energy the Wild may have needed.
– 1/28 vs BUF (23-19-3) Win 3-2 in SO
The Wild have now won 2 in a row after their 3 game losing streak. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots for the Wild, including a sprawling save to thwart Tage Thompson on a wraparound try with about eight minutes left in regulation. Minnesota has seven post-regulation wins this year, four via shootout. Since the start of the last season, the Wild lead the NHL with 23 victories in extra-session games. Joel Eriksson Ek and Jared Spurgeon had goals in regulation for Minnesota, which headed into its All-Star break with two wins in a row.
Next week’s games:
The Wild are now off until February 6th.
Phil K