Minnesota Wild Blanked By Winnipeg Jets, Lose 3rd Straight

Final. 0. 98. 2. 107

For the first time since early January, our Minnesota Wild has lost 3 straight. Tonight, the Winnipeg Jets carried the game’s momentum and handed the Wild its first shutout loss since November of 2014.

Good morning, Minnesota Wild fans. It’s been nearly 3 months since the last time the Wild has lost 3 straight, and it’s been even longer since the Wild has been shutout. Tonight, the Wild seemed to fall flat. Much like the last two games, the Wild looked like a team that has run out of gas. The Winnipeg Jets and their throng of faithful fans came in to Saint Paul and rightfully won two points to keep their playoff hopes alive. Now headed to Chicago, The Wild look to Tuesday night’s tilt with the Blackhawks to get back on track.

First Period:

From the drop of the puck, the Minnesota Wild tried to play a more physical game and match their opponent; however, the Wild simply isn’t a team built for that kind of play. Winnipeg took advantage of this and generated chances by out-muscling the Minnesota Wild for loose pucks and using an aggressive forecheck to make almost effortless zone entries.

Chris Stewart’s roughing penalty 3 minutes in to the first period set the stage for Blake Wheeler to open the scoring. The Wild’s PK was simply outworked by the Jets and got stuck in the defensive zone for a bit. Wheeler picked up a pass from Andrew Ladd and sent a pass across the crease towards Mark Scheifele. Unfortunately, that pass was deflected off the skate of Marco Scandella and in to the net to make it 1-0 Jets at 04:12 of the first period. Devan Dubnyk didn’t really have a chance on that goal as it took a funny angle off the skate of Scandella and in to a wide open net as Dubnyk jockeyed for position.

The Wild responded with sparse chances and defensive turnovers galore until the Wild had its chance on the power play at 18:30. They didn’t come away with a goal; however, they did take some of the pressure off and escape to the locker room with just a one goal deficit.

Shots after one period: Winnipeg Jets 16, Minnesota Wild 7

Second Period:

The Wild had 30 seconds of power play time and couldn’t do much with it. Mikko Koivu made some really nice plays at the offensive blue line to keep play alive, but they couldn’t get much on net.

Around the 4 minute mark, Thomas Vanek had the Wild’s best scoring chance all game with a glorious slapshot that beat everything but the goalpost. Side note: That may have been the loudest noise I’ve ever heard a goalpost make.

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Wheeler took Winnipeg’s 2nd penalty of the night (slashing Ryan Carter) in the 7th minute. The Wild’s puck movement was much crisper on this go, and the top line held Winnipeg in its defensive zone for nearly a minute straight, registering six shots on goal.

Jason Pominville had a solo rush around the 12th minute and managed to get a shot off while being swarmed by Jets defenders. Unfortunately, the shot rang wide of the net before bouncing out to center ice and the waiting Jets. Despite good effort by Mathew Dumba to keep the puck out of the Wild’s end, the Jets prevailed and used the opportunity to add to their lead. Schiefele picked up the puck along the boards and fed a rushing Tyler Myers. Myers fired a shot from the Right face-off circle that bounced off of Dubnyk’s pads and over the stick of Dumba before landing in front of Drew Stafford. Stafford potted home the rebound to make it 2-0 Jets at 13:10 of the second period.

Frustrations boiled over for the Wild, who took senseless 2 penalties in the closing 6 minutes of the middle frame.

Shots after two periods: Winnipeg Jets 27, Minnesota Wild 21

Third Period:

Nino Niederreiter took a roughing penalty in the 6th minute after getting roughed up along the boards himself. The Wild put on quite the show for the PK, spending most of it in the Jets’s end and putting quality chances toward the net.

The Wild went back to the power play in the 12th minute. Again registering some good chances, Niederreiter took a Dumba slapshot to the leg and left the game. There was no update available as of writing this.

Pulling Dubnyk with just over 2 minutes left, the Wild simply couldn’t get a shot past Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. Game over, Minnesota Wild lose in regulation and move to 0-2-1 since its 4-day break.

Final shots on goal: Winnipeg Jets 34, Minnesota Wild 32

Trembley’s Take:

Jason Pominville was the game’s 3rd star and rightfully so. He tied Vanek and Zach Parise for team lead with 4 shots on goal and forced a couple of turnovers. There’s still 3 games left, which means there’s still time for Pominville to break the 20 goal mark.

I said it at the beginning, and I’ll say it again, but the Wild looks gassed. They’ve played so hard since mid-January and it’s starting to show. The Wild simply aren’t in a position to limp in to the playoffs. Winnipeg’s win coupled with the Kings’ resurgence (tied 1-1 with Vancouver as of press time) means the Wild has very little breathing room. A win tonight could’ve given Dubnyk the night off on Tuesday, but I’m not sure that’s the case anymore.

Hopefully Niederreiter is okay. He’s really impressed me lately with his two-way play and he’s second on the team in goals scored. Jason Zucker is eyeing a return; however, it likely won’t be until Thursday so the Wild could use a healthy Niederreiter.

Okay, short post tonight and I’m off to a conference tomorrow. Talk to you soon. Thanks for reading!!!

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