Minnesota Wild: Three takeaways from strong result versus Vancouver Canucks

Shot blocking and hitting makes a difference for Minnesota Wild

Maybe it was the nature of the game, given that both the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks would’ve had some air of desperation to their play, neither wanting to lose a fourth straight; but the hitting and shot-blocking numbers were up on previous games for the Wild.

Matt Dumba, as has often been the case this season led the way with 4 hits, with Matt Hendricks and Joel Eriksson Ek both lining up 3 apiece.

Such was the game that Jared Spurgeon was on the receiving end of 4 hits from Canucks’ players and Nino Niederreiter, Mikael Granlund, Jonas Brodin and Greg Pateryn all copped 3 each. When we said there was an air of desperation, we weren’t kidding!

In fact, Greg Pateryn might’ve taken the desperation a step too far, giving up a boarding penalty for his hit on Jake Virtanen. Off the hit, the Canucks’ player was slow to his feet but did return in the third period, so you’d hope he’s okay.

Additional to the hitting, Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon once again led the way with 3 and 4 shot blocks respectively.

It is these elements of both defensemen’s games that often can be overlooked. Being willing to take a hit or jump in front of a shot on net can be the difference-maker between the puck going in or not.

The Vancouver Canucks weren’t about to tone their game down so these guys had to step it up and performed admirably in their roles.

Now, even with the players stepping up and scrapping out the 3-2 victory, there is still room for improvement.

The Minnesota Wild will need to be on the A-game against a red-hot Calgary Flames that notched nine goals in their outing against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Luckily for the Wild, they also conceded six!

Statistics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.