Blues vs Wild Links

Since I had to write my article for the paper addition of Game Time last night and I now have some free time on my hands I thought I would provide you with a little off day reading material.

But before we get to that I wanted to take a second and remind everyone going to the game tomorrow don’t forget to pickup a copy of Game Time before you head inside. We have three vendors who are stationed around Scottrade Center and are easy to find. For 4 dollars you get 28 pages of insightful commentary from fans just like you, stats, home and visiting rosters, cartons, trivia and a whole lot more. Not going to the game? Don’t worry, you can buy a digital copy of the paper as well. Just email me at jmannigel01 at gmail dot com and I’ll hook you up.

A Walk on the Wild Side

Boy, the old whine-o-meter is pegged out up in old St. Paul. From the fans, to the coaches and players, and even the beat writers are searching for any reason why the Wild are head to St. Louis down 2 games to none.

You now what that tells me? Someone is getting frustrated. You can see it in their faces and hear it in their words. They were able to write the first game off as bad luck. They are having a little more trouble putting a good spin on game 2.

Bruce Boudreau was starting to get a little agitated during his post game interview. Which means one thing, the Blues have taken up residence in side that big bald head.

Devon Dubnyk’s reason for losing the game: Bad officiating. Never mind the fact that he gave up 2 goals on 24 shots and the only way his team can put one past Jake Allen is to have a man advantage.

When asked about the call that lead to the 4 on 4 in the third period Dubnyk had this to say,

“That's unacceptable in a 1-1 hockey game to make that call, it just doesn't make sense. You can watch it a hundred times, there's zero reason. It's either a penalty on them or it's no penalty. I'm not saying it's a penalty on them, it's just no penalty. Why make it a 4-on-4 game with four minutes left? It's not to make excuses, it's just they made a play.” [startribune.com]

I think now is a good time to remind everyone about the major spearing to Ivan Barbashev during the first period that ended up being called a minor slash.

Our friends at Hockey Wilderness are starting to wonder if losing the first two games at home is maybe not that great of a game plan. I’m only laughing because I know exactly how they feel.

Star Tribune beat writer Michael Russo agrees that maybe the Wild did get out played by the Blues in game 2.

Here Come the Blues

It’s no secret what the Blues are doing. They are negating Wild’s speed and size by sitting back and keeping everything to the outside. When they get in trouble the collapse to the middle and let Jake Allen go to work on some low percentage shots.

During his post game presser Mike Yeo acknowledged the fact that the Blues have had excellent goaltending in games 1 and 2 but relying on Jake Allen is no different than relying on Vladimir Tarasenko or Jaden Schwartz to score or asking Alex Pietrangelo to log some heavy minutes on defense.

When the season first began I would have bet if anyone was going to suffer from a sophomore slump it would be Cuzin Eddie, boy was I wrong.

Post-Dispatch columnist Benjamin Hochman isn’t booking a return trip to St. Paul just yet.

Elsewhere in the League

Last night the Oilers beat the Sharks 2-0 to even the series at one game a piece. Turns out that McDavid kid is pretty good.

The Blue Jackets lost to the Penguins 1-4 and trail the series by two but that’s not the big news. Watch as Columbus forward Matt Calvert goes all Bo Jackson on someone else’s head.

Montreal pulled out a 4-3 OT win against the King and the rest of the Rangers.

I’m not saying the Blackhawks are in full blown panic mode but Chicago Sun Times writer Mark Lazerus says Coach Q is showing some signs of unease.

Since all of us are probably going to be focused on the Blackhawks-Preds game tonight nows a good time to check out friend of the paper @realfansprogram game preview.

Tempers were flaring in St. Paul last night, turns out they were everywhere else as well.