For the second game in a row the Wild go down by three early, but this time the comeback is squashed by giving up three more goals. Granted, Backstrom wasn’t in the goal for this one and Harding was clearly struggling to just make routine saves but it wasn’t a good showing overall.
The only thing that softens this one is that they had the #2 goalie out there. Though, I have to admit, I thought Harding was much better than this: Hopefully this isn’t an indication or me being wrong.
Harding didn’t get much help with Havlat not really seeming to be very motivated in the defensive zone and Schultz and Johnsson both had poor defensive games (Though pretty good offensive nights). Pouliot was garbage last night, as usual.
The effort was just not there.
Hard to blame this one on a new style because no style works if the players are not motivated or give a good effort.