Minnesota Wild Swept By Anaheim Ducks, Lose 2-1
1. 98. 2. 105. Final
The Minnesota Wild lost its 3rd consecutive 1-goal game to the Anaheim Ducks, falling 2-1 in regulation. Zach Parise’s 2nd period power play goal stood as the Wild’s lone tally.
Good morning, Minnesota Wild fans. The Anaheim Ducks have swept the season series with the Wild thanks to 3 separate 1-goal games. Tonight’s game came down unfinished power play chances and a few bad turnovers by the Wild. Unfortunately, tonight’s loss came on during one of Minnesota’s best possession games and another strong outing by Devan Dubnyk. Don’t forget to check out Dustin’s piece on Ryan Suter’s clock eating ways.
Next: Ryan Suter's Minutes: Is He Better Off With Fewer?
First Period:
It took all of 10 seconds for Chris Stewart to drop the gloves with Clayton Stoner. It struck me as another one of those “let’s get the crowd in to it” fights. Stewart won by majority decision with a late left hook that brought Stoner to the ice. Interestingly, Kyle Brodziak replaced Stewart on the Mikko Koivu – Nino Niederreiter line.
The Wild had tons of good chances all through the first. Koivu, Niederreiter, and Stewart had a stack of shots ring wide.
Tomas Fleischmann steamrolled Devan Dubnyk in the crease, sending the Wild to its first power play opportunity. Thomas Vanek had a costly turnover in the first 20 seconds of the man advantage, so he was pulled for Mathew Dumba. Dumba ended up nullifying the power play with about 30 seconds left thanks to a tripping penalty, but hey. At least they’re changing it up.
The Wild played fine at 4-on-4 and then killed Dumba’s penalty.
Niederreiter drew a roughing penalty at the 17 minute mark, giving the Wild its second chance with the man advantage. Once again, the first unit spent a lot of time on the ice before yielding to the second unit. The second unit had far better chances, including a beautiful shot by Chris Stewart that went just wide, but I’ll talk about that later.
Francois Beauchemin opened the scoring just after the power play expired with a rocket from just inside the blue line. After a crisp zone entry by the ducks, Jonas Brodin unintentionally screened Dubnyk, who never saw Becauchemin’s shot. 1-0 Ducks at 19:13 of the first period.
Shots after one period: Anaheim Ducks 7, Minnesota Wild 16
Second Period:
Not a ton of chances early in the second period, though Stewart had a chance in close and the puck rolled off his stick. I’ll talk a little more about the second line in a bet, but it should come as no surprise that they were the ones generating scoring chances.
The Wild was assessed a bench penalty in the 8th minute (too many men on the ice,) giving Anaheim the chance to extend its lead. Luckily, all-star Corey Perry ran over Dubnyk in the crease and sat for roughing. As the 4-on-4 expired in to a Wild power play, the Wild tied the game.
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Vanek pushed his way in to the zone with Parise and Jason Pominville on his tail. Once Vanek got to the extended goal line, he put a shot on goal that trickled through goaltender John Gibson’s equipment and landed in the blue paint. Parise put home the puck with a little backhander that made it a 1-1 tie at 11:31 of the second period.
The penalties weren’t over, as Niederreiter and Anaheim defenseman James Wisniewski both sat for roughing just after the Parise goal.
Anaheim’s Jakob Silfverberg scored what turned out to be the game winning goal in the 13th minute. Mathew Dumba, who had an otherwise good game, turned the puck over twice trying to exit the defensive zone. On the second turnover, Simon Despres picked up the loose puck and fired it toward the net where a waiting Silfverberg tipped it past Dubnyk. 2-1 Ducks at 13:45 of the second period.
Anaheim and the Wild exchanged power play chances to end the second period. On the Wild’s try, Andrew Cogliano nearly put away a shorthanded bid. That was the only shot on goal registered during the Wild’s power play, and it came from the other team.
Shots through two periods: Anaheim Ducks 17, Minnesota Wild 24
Third Period:
A power play in the 6th minute and a pulled goalie with about 1:30 left couldn’t help the Wild overcome the mighty Ducks, although they came extremely close as time expired. Close doesn’t count in hockey, so that’s all she wrote. Game over, Wild lose 2-1 in regulation.
Final shots on goal: Anaheim Ducks 24, Minnesota Wild 33
Trembley’s Take:
This is another one of those games that the Wild was one bounce away from winning. They easily handled Anaheim’s top line and held them scoreless on three power play opportunities. The Wild also dominated in possession time, but the scoreboard is all that really matters.
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The Wild’s 2nd line (Stewart, Koivu, Niederreiter) remains as easily the best one on the ice. Koivu led all skaters with a Corsi-for of 90% at even strength. That’s an insanely good number, and Niederreiter’s 88% isn’t bad either.
Dumba’s turnover, although costly, isn’t what Cost the Wild this game. Sure, Silfverberg scored the game winner because of it, but the Wild had tons of time and 2 power play chances to tie the game and couldn’t.
1-for-5 on the power play when 4 of those opportunities came with a chance to tie the game isn’t acceptable. I’m going to do a featured piece on Sunday with some more thoughts on the power play, so look for that if you’re interested.
The Wild is right back at it tonight, when they take on the St. Louis Blues at 7:00 p.m. Talk to you real soon.
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