Minnesota Wild Drop 3 Straight Games, Nashville Predators Win in OT

In a heated Central Division matchup, the Minnesota Wild had the opportunity for a 4 point swing on the 3rd place Predators. An offense heavy first period saw the Predators jump out to a 3-2 lead and never look back, eventually winning 6-5 in overtime. All that and more as the Wild drop three straight games and slowly creep out of playoff contention. 

Good morning, Wild fans. Despite a three-point night by Zach Parise, two power play goals, and the return of Matt Cooke, the Wild fell short of the victory, though they did earn a OT point. Mikael Granlund was a late scratch due to the stomach illness plaguing the Wild. Darcy Kuemper, who allowed 3 goals on 14 shots in the first 20 minutes, was pulled after the first period. Be sure to check out Tyler’s game preview for more storylines to follow.

First Period:

It didn’t take long for the Wild to unlock Pekka Rinne. Just 70 seconds in, Jason Zucker and Jason Pominville broke free from the defending Predators and Pominville sprung Zucker for a quick shot that snuck through Rinne’s armpit. 1-0 Wild at 1:10 of the first period

This is just one of the plays that displays how well Pominville and Zucker are working together.

Calle Jarnkrok tied things up for the Predators with a pretty nifty tap in that opened Kuemper like a can of soup. 1-1 tie at 04:37 of the first period. Kuemper looked rattled after this shot. I’ll get to that later.

Charlie Coyle, centering the top line in relief of a sick Granlund, put the Wild on the board next, though the goal was credited to Zach Parise. Coyle blasted a shot at Rinne that bounced off his left leg pad and right in to the skates of Parise. Parise deflected the puck right past Rinne and in to the net. After a VERY brief review stood, The Wild retook the lead with Parise’s 12th goal of the season and Coyle’s first assist since November 29th. 2-1 Wild at 06:37 of the first period.  Coyle is the sole reason this goal was scored. Parise has that great net-crashing presence, but Coyle’s feeder shot was brilliant.

Ryan Carter took an interference penalty in the 8th minute, sending the Predators to their 29th ranked power play. The Wild killed the man advantage off with ease, allowing only one shot.

This is the last time the Wild would hold the lead thank to some odd bounces and an uncharacteristic Kuemper.

First, Matt Cullen, bounced a shot off Kuemper’s back that slid down his breezers and in to the goalmouth. 2-2 tie at 13:58 of the first period. Remember when Cullen was with the Wild? That was neat.

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To close the period, Craig Smith fired a one-timer just after the face-off that struck Kuemper’s glove and bounced in as he scrambled to recover. Kuemper had his glove way too low for the shot, causing the puck to hit the top of his trapper rather than the pocket. 3-2 Predators at 18:14 of the first period.

The Wild only managed 6 shots on goal, though they were quality chances. More on that in a bit.

Shots through one period: Nashville Predators 14, Minnesota Wild 6

Second period:

Niklas Backstrom started the game in relief of Kuemper. This marks the 4th time in Kuemper’s last 5 home starts where Kuemper’s been pulled due to poor play

Jonas Brodin sent the Predators back to the power play in the first minute. The Predators have the same problem as the Wild on the man advantage, too much passing.

Zucker rang the only true scoring chance for the Wild off a post shortly before Mikko Koivu took an offensive zone penalty for hooking. Senseless penalty, since it killed the Wild’s first true chance at offensive pressure. The Wild actually managed to sustain zone pressure while shorthanded, causing Mike Fisher to hook Nino Niederreiter twice. Fisher drew a double minor and the ensuing power play was a weird one.

30 seconds in to the power play, Marco Scandella, Charlie Coyle, and Mikko Koivu all tossed a flurry of shots at Rinne, capturing each and every rebound. Sophomore defenseman Seth Jones actually crawled in to the net to push the puck out of the crease and under Rinne a few times. Scandella put the final shot on goal before the referee whistled the play dead. The referees announced the play was under review, though there was no sign the puck had crossed the goal line. After a review that seemingly took a week, referee Justin St. Pierre announced that the puck had completely crossed the goal line on Scandella’s final shot and a goal was declared. 3-3 tie at 07:18 of the second period. Coyle earned his second assist of the night for his first multi-point game since November 13th. Here’s the video, see if you can spot the puck clearing the line:

The Wild got an extra 2 minutes of power play and fired a few shots on goal without any success. Rinne is really good, you guys.

The period closed out with the Predators outshooting the Wild at a 2-to-1 pace. Backstrom played well enough to keep the Wild alive, though.

Shots through two periods: Nashville Predators 28, Minnesota Wild 14

Third Period:

Rookie sensation Filip Forsberg, who seems a sure thing for the Calder Trophy, put the Predators back ahead early in the third. Forsberg blasted a shot that hit Ryan Suter‘s shin pad and bounced off the end boards. Forsberg collected the puck, turned and wristed home his 13th of the year. 4-3 Predators at 01:48 of the third period.

Matt Cooke drew a penalty, sending the Wild back to the power play 3 minute in. Cooke’s physical presence finally wore out the Predators. One shot on goal is all they mustered, though. The Wild are going to need more than that to score 4 goals on the league’s GAA leader.

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The Wild’s PK, which I’ve lauded in so many recaps, let the Wild down at a crucial moment. With Coyle in the box, Defenseman Roman Josi fired a long, rising slap shot that cruised over a sliding Carter and Backstrom. 5-3 Predators at 09:05 of the third period.

The game looked over, but a power play goal by the Wild sparked new life in to the hometown club. A minute in to Olli Jokinen‘s hooking penalty, Parise deflected Pominville’s long shot from the right point to bring the Wild within one. 5-4 Predators at 10:46 of the third period. Seems like the Wild power play is feast or famine, eh?

Now, the Predators seemed content with playing keep away until time expired. The Wild also iced the puck 3 times in a row while trying to pull Backstrom for the extra skater. Backstrom finally got to the bench with a minute left and Thomas Vanek came through with his second game-tying extra attacker goal of the season; collecting a rebound and elevating it home. 5-5 tie at 19:12 of the 3rd period. 

What a thrilling way to resolve regulation, eh? Off to overtime we go.

Shots through Regulation: Nashville Predators 41, Minnesota Wild 26

Overtime:

The Wild could only muster one shot in OT and Mattias Ekholm scored the OT winner for the Predators 1:45 in. Predators steal the extra point.

Trembley’s Take:

Let’s start With Kuemper. He’s played sub-par lately, but I think this is a huge confidence killer for the youngster. Think about it like this: working your whole life for something only to have it yanked away is no way to live life. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I think the Wild try to trade for a goaltender. If they do, expect Kuemper to be placed on waivers and clear them.

The Wild is rarely outshot on a given night. I’m fine with them having fewer shots on goal so long as they have quality shots.

It was really nice to have Cooke back.

Mikko Koivu and Marco Scandella were the only Wild skaters with positive possession stats. Suter, the Wild’s workhorse, had a corsi for of 3o%. Miserable possession performance by the Wild tonight.

The Wild shouldn’t lose with a 5 goal performance. Nobody should. Frustration is mounting, and it’s not being channeled in the right place. Everybody in town talks about “angry Mikko” as if Koivu becomes the Incredible Finnish Hulk when he’s been wronged. The entire team needs that kind of mentality. Anger can beget huge production, so play angry, Minnesota Wild.

The Wild have now lost three straight, though they did manage a point in their last two contests, bringing them within 3 points of the Winnipeg Jets. Luckily, the Wild play the Jets twice before the new year and have the opportunity for an 8 point swing in the standings. The Wild owned the season series with our neighbors to the north last year, so lets hope the trend continues.

Talk to you Tuesday when the Wild take on the Philadelphia Flyers.